🧢 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

I have to hand in the shirt over a defeat by 15 runs — first, though, my own knock:

I won the toss, put Bearsted in, and by the close of their forty overs we were left ruing the one that got away. Mark Hodges gave us the full village-green nightmare, carving out a magnificent unbeaten 108 while we toiled away with increasingly creative fields. Steven Benjamin chipped in a handy 32 and Stephen Pearce 20, the pair adding a crucial 60 for the fourth wicket that really put the game beyond easy reach. To our credit the bowlers stuck at it manfully — Joshua Knowler was superb up front with 2 for 23, and Tim Thirkell (1-20) and Mark Beeney (1-24) kept things honest throughout. Poor Ian Sandwell, meanwhile, will want that particular duck struck from the record books entirely.

Chasing 209, I'll admit I rather enjoyed myself, batting through for 99 and cursing the cricketing gods roundly for denying me the century by a single, agonising run — the sort of innings that gets you a warm handshake and absolutely nothing else. Tim Wright supported nicely with 40, and a generous 26 extras from Bearsted did their bit too, but 193 for 6 in the forty overs left us 15 runs light at the death.

Not our day, then — a fine individual effort or two but not quite enough collectively. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets we go.

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

Sunday 13 September 2009, and the coin gods were against me from the off – Anchorians won the toss, chose to bat, and I trudged out to the field wondering what fresh punishment lay ahead.

They made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 240/6 from their 37 overs on the back of a composed 45 from D Carter, with D Pask (40) and S McKechnie (35) chipping in handsomely. To our credit we kept plugging away: Michael Beeney was the pick of the bowlers with 2-52, while Tim Wright and Sam Boyns picked up a wicket apiece. Poor Glen Rawson had one of those afternoons behind the stumps that goalkeepers dream of forgetting – nine byes is the sort of number that makes a captain suddenly find the boundary rope fascinating.

Chasing 241, we never quite got the platform we needed, closing on 153/9. I did what I could with 39, and Mark Christmas gave good support with 28, but wickets fell steadily around us and 87 runs proved a bridge too far. Sam Boyns's golden duck rather summed up the day for the lower order.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Richard Piper continues his imperious form atop the run charts with 349, and Tim Wright sits second among the wicket-takers with nine. As for us – beaten, bruised, but unbowed. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

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

Wednesday nights don't get much better than a home fixture, and this one had all the ingredients of a proper club cricket contest. The toss went against us — as it so often does when I'm the one calling it — and Headcorn had no hesitation in padding up first.

We put a decent shift in with the ball, though 193/4 from our forty overs was more than we'd have liked. Kevin Richardson gave us a torrid afternoon, unbeaten on 85, with Peter Westrop's 40 and Richard Munro's 22 keeping the scoreboard ticking along nicely for them. Credit where it's due: Joshua Knowler was superb, snaring 2-23, I chipped in with 1-20, Lee Tidey took 1-53, and Michael Beeney bowled two maidens that didn't give an inch.

Chasing 194 was always going to be a stiff ask, and so it proved. I'll confess to a quiet thrill at getting to fifty myself — 51 in the end, and a personal contribution I was rather pleased with — while Iain Cardew's 29 and Tim Wright's 20 gave the innings some backbone. Poor Joshua Knowler, so parsimonious with the ball, had a horror show with the bat and departed for a duck; cricket has a cruel sense of humour like that. We closed on 150/8, forty-three runs shy of the target.

Beaten, but not disgraced. With Richard Piper 5th in the season's run charts and my own 24 wickets keeping me 3rd among the bowlers, there's plenty to build on — we'll be better for it next week.

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

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to suspect the coin has it in for me — and we were put into the field on a Sunday that promised more from the bat than the ball. Westgate-On-Sea duly obliged, racking up 236/7 from their 41 overs, though we did at least prise out an early wicket with just 5 on the board to keep our spirits up before the Sandwell family took charge. Nick Sandwell made a commanding 92, Keith Sandwell chipped in with a well-made 60, and Gary Sandwell's 37 rounded off a third-wicket stand worth 143 that rather took the game away from us. Small mercies arrived in the form of Barney Lawson, back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Gareth Davies was superb, finishing with 4-37, well supported by Sam Boyns (1-30, with two miserly maidens) and Matthew Carter (1-34).

Chasing 237, we were always up against it, and 173/6 from our 39 overs was a fair reflection of a stiff target. I was pleased to lead from the front with 55, and James Piper batted nicely for 24, the pair of us anchoring a third-wicket stand of 62 — extras chipped in a useful 27 besides.

With Richard Piper motoring past 341 runs and Matthew Carter's 19 wickets leading the way this season, the club's in good health even if my toss-calling isn't. A hard-fought draw, honours shared, and no shame in that against a strong Westgate side.

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

Lost the toss on Saturday and, as is traditional at this club, informed we'd be doing the hard yards in the field first. Milstead made themselves entirely at home, R Bartlett cruising to 87 not out with the kind of unhurried authority that makes captains reach for the sunscreen and quietly reconsider their bowling changes, well backed by Adam Copping's 29 and Peter Morrell's 23. We did at least send Ian Hollingworth back without troubling the scorers, which felt like a small victory amid the carnage. Darren Styles was the pick of a weary attack, 2 for 40 with four miserly maidens, and got honest support from Tim Thirkell (1-29) and Ian Hollingworth (1-46) as Milstead closed on a stiff 199 for 6.

Chasing it down looked no formality once we lost an early wicket with just 7 on the board, but Trevor Back played the innings of the day, 54 not out of real substance, with Glen Rawson (38) and Laurie Probert (35) doing sterling work either side of him. I chipped in with 21, and can only apologise for the nine byes that slipped past me behind the stumps — not my finest afternoon with the gloves, though thankfully not a costly one. We scrambled home on 200 for 7 in the 45th over.

Two points, thoroughly earned, won by 3 wickets — a proper club cricket scrap, and I'll take it every time.

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

Winning the toss at Marden on a fine September Saturday, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat, on the grand theory that runs on the board beat runs in the legs. Dave Charlton set the tone with a fine 39, and once Richard Knowler (24 not out) and Paul Gibson (20) got themselves in, that fifth-wicket stand of 50 felt like the innings finding its second wind. Even the tail had ideas above its station, contributing a rowdy 43 that left the Marden fielders looking thoroughly fed up with us by the time we declared ourselves finished on 169/6 from 45 overs.

Defending it should have been simpler than it was. John Paul Sunnucks decided he fancied an unbeaten 56 and duly helped himself to it, with Richard Hunter's 38 lending very able support at the other end. I did what I could with the ball — 2-34 and four maidens, which I mention here once and shall not be mentioning again — while Joshua Knowler (1-6) and Richard Knowler (1-43) chipped in for good measure. Ten byes, meanwhile, told the tale of a trying afternoon behind the stumps for David Castle. My own bat added 18 to the cause, for what little difference it made.

In the end Marden got home by four wickets, and honesty compels me to admit we bowled and fielded like a side one week too early in its preparation. Character all the same, and we'll be sharper 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

Here's the match report:

I'll confess straight away that losing the toss at home to Hartley Country Club and being asked to chase is not the afternoon I'd have chosen, but that's cricket, and the lads simply had to get on with it. Given first use of the ball, we toiled manfully without quite finding the breakthroughs we needed, as Lewis Hickford compiled a chanceless century, unbeaten on 105, and found a willing ally in Tim Clark, whose fifty grew into a fine 91. The pair put on 149 for the fourth wicket and, frankly, took the game rather away from us. Dale Clarkson's 25 added further insult, and by the close of their innings, 267/6 from 38.2 overs, we knew we had work ahead. Chris Newman was the pick of a weary attack with 2-31, well supported by Matthew Carter (2-65) and Harry Bee (1-18).

Chasing 268, Ryan Boyns led the reply with 41, Laurie Probert chipped in 39 and Tim Wright made 21, with the fourth-wicket pair adding a crucial 62. I contributed 15 myself, a modest offering in the circumstances. Sadly, 173-6 became 185-9 in the time it takes to put the kettle on, and poor Michael Beeney's duck will earn him a permanent entry in the Duck Club ledger. We closed on 197/9 from 41 overs.

Honours shared, then, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Given the position we found ourselves in, I'll happily settle for that.

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

Here's the match report:

Skipper's Log, Saturday 22nd August — the road took us to Staplehurst, and I won the toss with no intention of doing anything but batting first on a day made for it.

We made a slightly nervy start, losing our first wicket for just 8, but from there the innings simply took off. James Piper and Paul Gibson put on a magnificent 138 for the second wicket, Piper finishing unbeaten on 89 and Gibson falling agonisingly short of his own century on 87. Ryan Boyns chipped in a tidy 20, extras added a generous 31, and we closed on a mightily imposing 233 for 5 from our 45 overs. Less happily, both David Castle and Laurie Probert made the sorry walk back for ducks — the Duck Club ledger duly updated, much to their chagrin.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it proved. Richard Knowler was quite magnificent, running through Staplehurst with 5 for 31, while Matthew Carter bowled two tight maidens and I was pleased enough with my own 1 for 19, with Ryan Boyns weighing in too. Alexander Holmes (44) and Chris Curran (32) offered the only real resistance before the innings folded on 140 for 9. David Castle had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes the only blemish on an otherwise triumphant day — and one that saw me personally reach both 3,000 career runs and 300 career wickets for the club.

Verdict: a 93-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for Linton Park.

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

Here's the match report:

I won the toss on a fine Wednesday evening and, fancying our chances, had no hesitation in putting Tunbridge Wells Wednesday in to field first. It proved a shrewd call, or at least a lucky one. David Castle set about the bowling with real purpose, cruising to 68, while Ryan Boyns chipped in an unbeaten 40 and Tim Wright a tidy 37 to help us to a healthy 215 for 4 off our 42.3 overs. Tea was taken with the home dressing room in rather good spirits.

Defending a total of that size ought to be the easy part, and for long stretches it looked it, though F Hulbert had other ideas, compiling a fine 52 that kept the visitors in touch throughout. Andy Rauf's unbeaten 36 and Iain Barker's unbeaten 25 saw them home to a respectable 182 for 4 from their 44 overs, just short of what was required. With the ball I did my bit, taking 1 for 22 to lead the attack, with Chris Newman (1-26) and Michael Beeney (1-30, and two miserly maidens to boot) keeping things admirably tight around me.

In the end neither side could quite force the door open, and honours were shared. As it stands, James Piper continues to lead our Midweek XI run charts this season with 233, and I'm rather pleased to find myself third in the wicket-taking list with 9. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but an evening of good cricket, better company, and absolutely no complaints from this captain.

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

We won the toss at Leeds & Broomfield and, with the kind of confidence that in hindsight looked distinctly premature, I stuck us in to bowl first — sorry, batting first was never really on the cards once I'd called correctly, so in we went. Ninety-seven all out from 35.4 overs was a scrappy old total, held together by Richard Piper's 27 and James Piper's watchful 23, while Craig Sands and Ryan Boyns both departed for golden ducks 🦆 — the kind of symmetry nobody asks for.

With the ball, we scrapped hard without ever quite landing the knockout blow. Aaron Bailey batted through unbeaten on 37 to see Leeds & Broomfield home, and though Matthew Carter toiled away for figures of 2-34, the runs kept trickling. I managed to keep things tight from my end with three maidens, small mercies on an afternoon short of them. Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps too, with eight byes going begging — gloves clearly not his friend on the day.

Leeds & Broomfield closed it out at 98/2 from 27.5 overs, and we fell by eight wickets. Elsewhere, the season charts roll on regardless of our travails, with Paul Gibson still top of the run pile on 836 and Matthew Carter leading the wickets on 28. As for us — outbatted, outbowled, and thoroughly out-thought. We'll be better for it next week.

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

Winning the toss at The Mote and electing to bat felt, if I say so myself, like precisely the right sort of captaincy decision — the kind one likes to be reminded of over tea. David Castle and Glen Rawson evidently agreed, putting on 123 for the second wicket in a stand that did most of our thinking for us, Castle motoring to 71 and Rawson matching him for style with a well-crafted 65. I contributed a tidy 27 further down, and we eventually settled on 212 for 8 from 53.5 overs — a total with enough about it to make a game of things. Poor Ryan Boyns, meanwhile, was made to feel thoroughly unwelcome at the crease, departing for a golden duck; he'd have his revenge with the ball later, as these things tend to even out in club cricket.

The Mote chased hard rather than steadily, reaching 186 for 3 from their 35 overs, with Rajeevan Raveendran's 55 doing the heavy lifting, well supported by John Clark's 40 and an unbeaten 26 from Matthew White. Tim Wright led our attack tidily with 1 for 18, Lewis Burnham and Matthew Carter chipped in a wicket apiece, and Boyns redeemed himself nicely with two miserly maidens.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and not the worst way to spend a Wednesday.

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

Beaten by nine wickets, and if I'm honest, that's about the size of it. We lost the toss at Speldhurst, were put in, and made a fair fist of things with 184 for 7 from our forty — though losing the first wicket with the board still reading nought was hardly the calming start I'd hoped for. Credit where it's due: I managed 42 myself, Jamie Ratcliffe chipped in a handy 29 and Ryan Boyns 26, and it was the seventh-wicket stand of 59 that really rescued the innings from the doldrums. Extras chipped in 27 too, which tells its own story about the width of some of the bowling on offer. Less gloriously, both Jordan Austin and Matthew Taylor made the long walk back for ducks — the club ledger duly updated, quacks and all.

With the ball, we simply ran into a buzzsaw. James Flemington made an imperious 87 not out, Ben Brandt an equally polished 59 not out, and Mark Flemington a brisk 28, and between them they saw Speldhurst home to 190 for 1 in just 30.3 overs without so much as breaking sweat. Jon Harris toiled manfully for his 1 for 34, the lone bright spark in an otherwise chastening afternoon in the field.

So, nine wickets the wrong way, and no arguing with the scoreboard. Ryan Boyns continues to climb the season's run charts and Jon Harris still tops the wicket-takers, which offers some comfort — but on the day we were simply second best. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week, as ever.

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

Saturday 8 August saw us make the trip out to Sheldwich CC, and things went awry before a ball was bowled — I lost the toss and we were put straight into the field. Sheldwich made themselves thoroughly at home, racing to 234/2 from their 45 overs. Martin Mills produced a proper captain's nightmare of an innings, an unbeaten 109, with Maxine Blythin (40) and Jon Taylor (40 not out) doing more than their share of the damage as the second wicket added a chastening 107. Ian Hollingworth was our one shining light with the ball, three tidy maidens among his figures, though 1-60 tells you how little joy anyone got that afternoon.

Chasing 235, we made a decent fist of it without ever threatening to get there, closing on 178/9. I top-scored with 48, and I'll admit the gloves gave me a torrid time too — eleven byes is not the sort of number you want next to your name twice in one scorebook. Glen Rawson (41) and Richard Piper (22) chipped in well, and the extras column's 30 did more work than a couple of the specialists. Less happily, both Trevor Back and Ian Hollingworth took the long walk back for ducks, which the club ledger will not let either of them forget.

So, 56 runs short and another lesson learned in the field of dreams that is Kent club cricket. Not our day, and back to the nets we go — though with 653 runs to my name this season, I'll take the top of the run charts as some small consolation for a soggy Saturday.

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

I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling has never troubled the scorers — and we were shown straight into the field.

Bexley made themselves at home, racing to 257/6 off their forty overs. Yavar Khan was the chief architect, 75 full of easy timing, with John Olufawo (39) and Adrian Wiltshire (37 not out) lending sturdy support either side of an 80-run stand for the second wicket that really set the platform. Their last pair then had the cheek to bolt on an unwanted 47 while we stood about looking faintly exasperated. Small mercies: Michael Ladbrook departed without so much as a run to his name. With the ball I had the pleasure of finishing top of the pile, 2-33, well backed by Lewis Burnham (2-34) and Chris Newman (1-43).

Chasing 258, we made a fine fist of it. The openers put on 74 in confident fashion before the first wicket fell, and James Piper batted beautifully for 86, ably supported by Ryan Boyns (60) and Laurie Probert (27). Poor Tim Wright, though, walked the walk of shame for nought.

We closed on 229/7 — a whisker short, honours shared. Piper now leads our season's run charts with 176, and I'm rather chuffed to top the wicket column with seven. A draw, then: nobody quite deserved to lose, and frankly nobody quite deserved to win either.

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

Sunday 2 August 2009, and Nuxley CC rolled into Linton Park for what turned into a rather satisfying afternoon's work. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my record with the coin remains stubbornly poor — and we were asked to field first, which at least meant I could put my feet up with a cup of tea before getting my pads on.

We batted our way to a healthy 205/5 from the forty overs, built around a fine innings from Iain Cardew, who cruised past his fifty and went on to 75 before the declaration of overs caught up with him. Glen Rawson chipped in handsomely with 49, and Lewis Burnham finished unbeaten on 36 to give the total real substance — the two of them putting on 81 for the fifth wicket, which was very much the innings of the day. Not every contribution sparkled, mind: Trevor Back will be filing his effort under "one to forget," departing for a golden duck. I managed to add my own small brick to the wall along the way before the innings closed out.

Defending 205 is never a formality, but the bowlers made light work of it. Ryan Boyns was superb, ripping through with 3-20, well backed up by Thomas Beeney's 2-25 and Ben Wells's tidy 2-33, the latter including two maidens for good measure. Ali Wilkinson's 40 and Adam Hudson's 32 threatened briefly to spoil the party, but Nuxley fell short at 177/9, twenty-eight runs shy of the target.

A thoroughly earned two points, and a reminder that on our day, this is a side worth watching.

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 IX Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI · HomeformDLDDD

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

Exactly at the limit. Here's the report.

Sunday 26 July, and Colemans Hatch pitched up at Linton Park with the sun out and, less welcomely, the toss in their pocket, so we were put in to field. For a giddy spell it went to plan, 15-1 sliding to 25-4, and three of theirs departed for ducks courtesy of Steve Singer, Martin Mulholland and Mike Anthony. Then Steve Pollard decided he'd seen enough of that and simply batted through for an unbeaten 85, while an exasperating last-wicket stand of 75 dragged Colemans Hatch up to a stiffer-than-it-should-have-been 153/8 from 41 overs. Joshua Knowler led the attack with 2-18, Sam Boyns (2-23) and Richard Knowler (2-36) chipped in, and Chris Newman bowled with real miserliness for his three maidens.

A target of 154 suited us rather better. Our openers set the tone with 66 for the first wicket, Craig Sands went on to a composed half-century of 56, and Trevor Back (31) and Richard Piper (20) chipped in handsomely, Piper's innings doubling as a landmark, bringing up 8,000 career runs for the club. True to form, we couldn't resist a late meal of it, slipping from 144-5 to 153-8 in a rush of nerves, before getting the job done with 36.1 overs on the clock.

Elsewhere this season, Ryan Boyns sits second in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 191, and Joshua Knowler second in the wicket charts with 9, both quietly building fine campaigns. As for Sunday: a nerve-shredding, thoroughly deserved two-wicket win, two points banked, and a tale we'll be telling in the bar come September.

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

Lost the toss on a Sunday that promised more drama than it delivered, and off we trudged into the field at Bells Yew Green. Their openers set about us with real purpose, putting on 91 before Martin Harris finally prised one out with figures of 3-40 — Tim Thirkell chipped in with 2-23, and Tim Wright bowled a tidy, miserly spell for 1-17 including two maidens, though not before Dan McInerney had made a handsome 87 and George Lovell a polished 52 to carry the home side to 249/8 from their 45 overs. A stiff enough target, and no mistake.

With the bat, Glen Rawson was the rock of the innings, unbeaten on a well-crafted 54, well supported by Tim Wright's 46 — a fine effort after his earlier work with the ball. I chipped in myself along the way, useful enough to keep me second in the season's run charts on 130, though I shan't pretend it was the stuff of legend. Between us we steadied to 142/3 from 41 overs, never quite chasing it down but never in danger of losing it either. Spare a thought, too, for Glen behind the stumps, whose afternoon with the gloves cost us nine byes — the kind of thing that gives a wicketkeeper grey hairs.

A draw, then — honours shared, and honestly a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side could quite land the killer blow. We'll take it, and live to fight another Sunday.

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

Saturday 25 July 2009, and the road took us to Lenham. Winning the toss on a morning that felt like it might do a bit, I had no hesitation putting them in - and for once the theory held up rather better than my track record suggests it should. An early wicket for just 1 on the board had me feeling positively clever, and when we reduced them to 9-4 the tea urn was already being polished in celebration. But cricket, as ever, had other ideas: a stubborn 56-run stand for the eighth wicket dragged Lenham back into it, and one Dave Bunch decided he rather liked the look of our bowling, farming his way to a magnificent unbeaten century. Credit where due - a fine knock, even if it did rather spoil our afternoon's arithmetic. They closed on 137/9, which with four early wickets down felt like a par we could chase down without alarm. I can't claim complete innocence in the carnage myself, picking up 4-19 with five maidens thrown in for good measure - the sort of figures a captain tries not to look too pleased about in front of the lads. Ken Obbard, Tom Curtis and Anthony Ambrose all made twin ducks apiece, while Matthew Carter (3-29) and Chris Newman (1-30, and a tidy century of career wickets to his name) did the mopping up. With the bat, Paul Gibson batted beautifully for an unbeaten 66, ushered home by Craig Sands' 22 and Tim Wright's unbeaten 22, and we strolled to 139/3 with overs to spare. A fine win by seven wickets, then - Bunch's century aside, a thoroughly satisfactory day's work. Onwards.

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

Sunday 19 July saw Blue Star CC roll up as our visitors, and my call went begging at the toss — they had us in the field first, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. Still, 212/6 from our 44 overs was a tidy riposte, built on the back of Daniel Thirkell's excellent 78 not out, a proper captain's-innings-that-wasn't-mine, well supported by Craig Sands's unbeaten 39 and Jamie Ratcliffe's brisk 29. I should confess, in the interests of full disclosure, that my own contribution amounted to a duck — golden, glinting, and entirely my own fault.

With the ball, we set about defending the total with rather more application than I'd shown with the bat. Blue Star were bowled out for 153 in 38.4 overs, Richard Pitt's 27 the highest resistance, with Christopher Holman and Andy Kidby chipping in either side of twenty. Dan Barkaway did the real damage with 3-24, Matthew Carter and Jordan Austin picked up two apiece, and Peter Davies bowled two maidens of the miserly variety that make batsmen mutter into their gloves.

A landmark too: Daniel Thirkell brought up 11,000 career runs for the club, which rather puts my afternoon in perspective. Craig Sands now sits third in the season's run charts, Matthew Carter tops the wickets. A fine win by 59 runs — onwards, as ever, in good heart if not in great form.

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

The road to Boughton & Eastwell CC on Sunday 19 July brought the usual coin-toss misfortune — they had first say and sent us in to bat, which these days feels less like tactics and more like a personal grudge against our top order. We compiled 145 for 8 from 36 overs, a total flattered considerably by Glen Rawson's well-made 68, an innings he more or less carried on his own back. Elsewhere the card made sorry reading, with both Ben Wells and Martin Harris trudging back for ducks — not the sort of company any batsman wants to keep.

Defending 145 always felt a tall order, and so it proved, though not without a fight. Ryan Boyns led the attack superbly, finishing with 3 for 38, well supported by Matthew Taylor's 1 for 32, and there was a small moment of satisfaction as Carl Spencer departed for a duck at our hands. But Daniel Newman's 41 top-scored for the home side, ably backed by Craig Mannering's unbeaten 32 and Edward Schryver's 29, and they eased home to 148 for 4 off 29 overs. Nine byes conceded behind the stumps by Glen Rawson didn't help our cause either, though the same man now leads our 2009 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 373 runs, so he's forgiven.

Beaten by six wickets in the end, and no complaints from me. We'll be better for it next week.

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

Kevin Presneill here, and if only the toss had been the hardest decision of the day. I fancied a bat on winning it, and for a while it looked the right call — until we shipped an early wicket with the score still reading nought. From there it was stop-start stuff: 19 for two became 38 for five in the sort of collapse that makes a captain reach for the scorebook and check he hasn't misread it. Three of the lads — Glen Rawson, Will Thirkell and Jamie Ratcliffe — will want July 18th struck from the record, each departing without troubling the scorers. That we recovered to anything respectable owed everything to a ninth-wicket stand worth 77, with yours truly making 85 and Alan Boyns chipping in a handy 22, as we limped to 152 all out.

It never felt quite enough, and so it proved. Gavin Rogers played the innings of the day for Mersham, 51 well struck, with Andy Douglas and an unbeaten Chris Meanley lending sturdy support around a third-wicket stand of 80 that did for us. Iain Rawson toiled hardest with two for 23, Sam Boyns and Lee Tidey chipped in, and Ian Hollingworth was miserly with five maidens — but 154 for 4 came with overs to spare, and we fell by six wickets.

Small mercies: I brought up 3,000 career runs for the club along the way, and still lead the 2nd XI's run charts for the season. But medals for individual milestones butter no parsnips on a losing afternoon. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

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

Here's your captain's log for the gazette:

Called it right at the toss on Saturday and, with the pitch looking a shade too benign for comfort, chose to bowl first — never a decision I regret when it comes off. Willesborough were shown the door in short order, Darren Stear and John Scamp both back in the hutch without so much as a run to their name. Richard Knowler was the star turn, spinning a web the visitors simply couldn't escape and finishing with a magnificent 5-35. I chipped in with 3-11 and three maidens for good measure — miserly enough, even if I say so myself — while Matthew Carter mopped up with 2-19. Willesborough limped to 107 all out in 39.3 overs, which felt like a job well done before tea was even poured.

Chasing such a modest total should never be taken for granted in this game, but Craig Sands made sure of it with a superb unbeaten 58, well supported by James Piper's composed 42 not out. Richard Piper's contribution began and ended with a golden duck, but nobody was counting when we cruised home at 108/1 in 25.2 overs.

A pleasing personal footnote: my three wickets nudged me past Dick Langridge into 23rd on the club's all-time list, while Craig continues to purr along in 2nd in the season's run charts and Richard sits proudly atop the wicket-takers. All told, a thumping 9-wicket win — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste that bit sweeter. Onwards.

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

Beaten by 5 runs at Hollingbourne, and I'll confess it's the toss I keep replaying — I put them in, thinking bowl first, chase later, and 170 for 6 off their twenty overs suggested I might just have handed Steve Martin (76) a personal invitation to bat all afternoon. Tom Osborne (51) was the willing accomplice in a second-wicket stand of 131 that did most of the damage. Full credit to Joe Martin for hauling us back into it with 2-14, and to Chris Newman and Mark Christmas for a wicket apiece, but by then the target had rather got away from us.

Chasing 171, we stumbled early — 8 for 1 does nothing for the nerves — but Dave Charlton played the innings of the day, 54 of real substance, with Craig Sands (30) and Mark Christmas (26) keeping the required rate honest. I chipped in myself as the overs ticked by, but five runs at the death was the margin that mattered, and we simply ran out of road.

Spare a thought for poor Joe Martin, whose golden duck earns him this week's entry in the Duck Club ledger — bowling hero and batting villain inside the same match, which is club cricket in a nutshell. On a happier note, he brought up 50 career wickets, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result. I lead the season's run charts on 169, Christmas the wickets on 8, so the engine room is purring even when the scoreboard isn't kind.

Verdict: a match we should have won and didn't — five runs the difference between a good story and a nearly one. We'll be better for it next week.

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

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

I lost the toss and, as ever at Linton Park, we were straight out into the field before the tea urn had even warmed up.

We rallied to post 230/6 from our 45 overs, and I'm not too proud to say I found some form myself, ninety-three of the runs coming off my own bat, well past the fifty and rather further than my usual modest returns. Trevor Back chipped in nicely with 35, Iain Rawson with 26, and the innings turned on a fifth-wicket stand worth 93 that gave the total real backbone. Whether that was down to good batting or Shipbourne's bowlers losing the will to live in the July heat, I couldn't honestly say.

Defending 230 always has an air of the unknown about it, and Shipbourne opened in fine style, their pair putting on 72 before we could prise the first wicket out. Mark Basten went on to make a handsome 62, well supported by David Bell (31) and Tom Kendle (28), and for a while it looked like turning into rather a long afternoon in the field. Will Thirkell, though, did the damage with 3-48, backed up by tidy support from Joshua Knowler (1-10) and the ever-parsimonious Ian Hollingworth, whose 1-11 and five maidens strangled the middle order when it mattered. My own afternoon behind the stumps was less distinguished — eight byes went through that I'd rather forget.

Shipbourne finished 63 runs short at 167/5. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine day for the club — even if my glovework owes the wicketkeeping union an apology.

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

The road to West Farleigh CC on a fine Saturday in July promised runs, and by teatime we had rather too many of theirs to show for it. Put into the field first, we watched Senthil Muniyasamy play an innings of real class, an unbeaten 168 that our attack simply couldn't shift, with Colin Fry's 46 and Greg Snape's 35 lending sturdy support as they racked up 293/5 from their 45 overs. It wasn't all one-way traffic, mind. Tim Wright bowled with real heart to finish 1-30, Matthew Carter and Michael Beeney chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Richard Knowler kept things admirably tight with two maidens. There was even a small mercy in poor Martin Hoare's duck, though against that total it barely registered.

Chasing 294 was always going to ask questions of us, and we didn't have the answers. Richard Knowler top-scored with a battling 30, Tim Wright weighed in with 29, and I added 24 to the cause, but three ducks on the card, for David Castle, Ryan Boyns and Michael Beeney, told their own sorry story as we folded for 136 in 42.3 overs.

Beaten, and beaten well, by a side with a very good player having a very good day. Small consolation that I still lead the run charts on 576 for the season, and Matthew Carter the wickets on 17, but consolation is all it is. We dust ourselves down and go again.

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

Skipper's Log — Sunday 05 July 2009. Reculver CC, and a lesson in why you never bowl at a man in the form of his life.

Winning the toss and putting Reculver in seemed a fine idea at the time. Steve Lewis had other notions, ghosting to 84 not out with the minimum of fuss while we ran about rearranging the field to no great effect. Sam Hadlow chipped in with a tidy 35, and the pair's 78-run stand for the fifth wicket was, frankly, the innings. Tim Wright bowled beautifully for his 3-41 and deserved better support from the rest of us; Matthew Taylor picked up one, and I managed to prise out a wicket myself for 24 runs, which felt like scant reward for an afternoon of honest toil. 189/6 from their 40 overs left us with a stiff but not impossible target.

We never quite got into our stride chasing it. Paul Gibson batted nicely for 35 and Tim Wright, having already done his bit with the ball, added a busy 21 — their second-wicket stand of 57 was the spine of the innings, but wickets fell around them and we subsided to 144/8 from our 39, well short of the mark.

Elsewhere in the campaign, Ron McCormick continues his steady accumulation, fourth in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 105, while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 13 — some consolation while the rest of us find our feet.

Verdict: beaten by 45 runs, fair and square. Back to the nets, heads up, and onwards.

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

Lost the toss again — Staplehurst's captain fancied his luck with the coin and rather less wisely fancied batting first on a day when our bowlers had other ideas. They laboured to 141 all out, propped up by M Thorndycraft's 33 and Gez Saunders' 28, the pair putting on 55 for the sixth wicket before the rest rather lost interest. Poor S Hammond and I Franklin will remember little of their innings beyond the walk back, both bagging ducks. Lee Tidey was superb with the new ball, snaring 3-24, while Darren Styles (3-26) and the ever-parsimonious Tim Thirkell (2-23, three maidens) made sure nobody settled.

Chasing 142, we made distinctly harder work of it than the scorebook perhaps suggests. Five for one had the tea urn rattling with nerves early on, but Glen Rawson played the innings of the summer, 74 not out and calm as you like, while I weighed in with 29 to help steady things in a crucial third-wicket stand of 65. Trevor Back and Iain Rawson both fell for nought, and thirteen extras in byes gave poor Glen behind the stumps a thoroughly testing afternoon with the gloves.

We scrambled home 144/7, a three-wicket win that owed as much to Tidey's opening burst as to Rawson's rearguard. With the season charts now showing me leading the run-scoring and Tidey top of the wickets, honours are nicely shared. A scrappy, hard-earned victory — exactly the sort club cricket is made of.

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

Lost the toss on a bright July Saturday and watched Marden's captain elect to bowl — never the news you want, but the lads set about proving him wrong. James Piper made a lovely 71, and when he departed Stewart Morrison and Craig Sands kept the innings ticking nicely, adding a crucial 62 for the fifth wicket, Morrison finishing unbeaten on 49 and Sands contributing 35. I chipped in with 30 down the order, and 250 for 5 off our 45 overs felt like a total with real teeth.

And so it proved. Marden lost an early wicket with just 1 on the board — always a tonic for the fielding side — and while John Paul Sunnucks and Ben Tomkinson both battled past their fifties, 59 and 57 not out respectively, the required rate never quite let them settle. Ryan Boyns was superb, ripping through with 3 for 12, and I was glad to do my bit with 2 for 23 and three maidens, while Ian Hollingworth chipped in with 2 for 54 — and, rather wonderfully, brought up his 100th career wicket along the way. Richard Brewer and Gareth Ward were both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, proof that even a winning day has its quiet indignities.

All out for 175 in 40.5 overs, and a fine 75-run win to take home. Tea was, as ever, the true highlight — but this one ran it close.

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

Lost the toss at Hartley Country Club on Wednesday and asked to bowl first — the sort of afternoon that tests a captain's cheerfulness before the tea urn's even boiled. Hartley ground out 248 for 9 from their 36.5 overs, built chiefly around Scott Mckechnie, who reached three figures — 125 no less — and was ably supported by Lewis Hickford's 35 and Justin Raymond-Guillen's 25, the pair adding 79 for the second wicket while we toiled in the sun. Small mercies came our way too: Russell Bennett and Graham Hutson both departed for ducks at our hands, which cheered the field no end. Jon Harris was superb, taking 4 for 37, with Tim Wright (2-30) and Michael Beeney (2-64) chipping in gamely, while Chris Newman bowled three tidy maidens. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes finding their way past him — not his finest hour with the gloves, bless him.

Chasing 249, the openers gave us exactly the platform we needed, 98 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came. Hal Pearson made a fine 64, Glen Rawson passed his fifty with 53, and I chipped in with 48 myself, as we reached 239 for 6 from our 42 overs — agonisingly short.

It was a day of milestones too: Glen brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, while Chris Newman reached 1,000 runs and his 100th appearance in Linton colours — remarkable service. A draw, then, honours shared, and on reflection a fair result: neither side quite deserved to win it, and neither, thankfully, had to buy the beers alone.

Tue 30 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDLWWW

As it stands, I've a duty as captain to report on Tuesday's fixture, and it's not often I get to write one of these with a smile on my face. Hollingbourne CC came to us, we sent them in, and after twenty overs they'd posted 142/7 — a total built chiefly by Tom Osborne's watchful 32, with Colin Gorridge chipping in a handy 21. Credit where it's due: Mark Christmas bowled beautifully for his 2-15, the pick of a disciplined attack, with Matthew Carter (2-30) and Ryan Boyns (2-34) doing their bit to keep the visitors honest. A target of 143 looked eminently gettable, and so it proved — eventually, and not without the odd grey hair sprouting on the captain's head along the way.

Craig Sands set the tone with a lively 37, and I was fortunate enough to find some form myself, our stand of 69 for the second wicket doing most of the heavy lifting as I finished unbeaten-in-spirit if not quite in scorebook on 40. From there it was a case of nudging the required rate along rather than anything too dashing, and we crossed the line with four wickets in hand and 19.4 overs on the clock — never entirely comfortable, but never in serious peril either.

A word on the season so far: I find myself, somewhat improbably, at the top of the 2009 Twenty20 run charts with 168, while Mark Christmas leads the wickets with 7 — the sort of statistic I intend to mention at every available opportunity until someone stops me. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club, and one for the scrapbook rather than the shredder.

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

Skipper's Log — Sunday 28 June 2009. Fordham CC visit us, I win the toss and, fancying a bit of early swing, stick us in. As decisions go it wasn't a bad one, though Mark Abbott made us pay for the invitation with a classy 52, well backed up by Gavin Harding's 39, and between them Fordham ground their way to 181/7 off their forty. Credit where it's due — Richard Knowler bowled beautifully for 3-36, and I chipped in with 2-39 alongside Ryan Boyns's tidy 1-19, which at least kept the total within reach rather than letting it run away from us.

Chasing 182, we did it the proper club-cricket way — nervously, and via the extras column, which weighed in with a generous 34. Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, a composed 53, with James Piper's 33 giving it real substance, and the pair's 83 for the fourth wicket was, frankly, the difference between a comfortable afternoon and a nail-biting one. I saw us home with an unbeaten 30. Spare a thought, though, for Ryan Boyns, whose golden duck earns him this week's unwanted entry in the Duck Club ledger — bowling wonderfully with the ball and rather less so with the bat, but that's cricket for you.

We got there with four wickets in hand, and two points banked. Not pretty, not always comfortable, but thoroughly earned — and on a Sunday like this, I'll take that every time.

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

Sunday 28 June saw us on the road to Chevening Amblers, and having called correctly I didn't think twice about batting first on what looked a decent surface. Glen Rawson made sure that decision looked wise, compiling a wonderful 93 not out that carried the innings almost single-handed, with Gareth Davies (26) and Ron McCormick (20) chipping in either side of a lively 64-run second-wicket stand. My own contribution amounted to little more than making up the numbers, and poor Tim Wright will want the scorebook burned before anyone finds his golden duck. Thirty extras rounded out a healthy 198/5 from 41 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain relax slightly at tea, though I'm told relaxation is a luxury rarely afforded to those of us who then have to keep it on the scoreboard.

Chevening's reply never got out of second gear. Jason Draper (23) and David Franklin (20) offered the only real resistance as three of their batsmen departed without scoring, and the bowling was, frankly, a delight to watch unfold. Sam Boyns was outstanding with 3-7, Tim Wright made handsome amends for his batting with 3-9 and three tidy maidens, and Jon Harris backed them up with 3-23 — between them they left Chevening bowled out for 128 in 33.1 overs. Ron McCormick had a trickier afternoon behind the stumps, 16 byes going astray, but nothing could dent a 70-run victory.

Two well-earned points, and with Glen Rawson and Jon Harris still leading the season's run and wicket charts respectively, this was a thoroughly satisfying Sunday'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 East Sutton CC · HomeformLDLWW

Tuesday 23 June saw East Sutton CC visit us, and having called correctly for once, I did what any sensible captain does with a good toss and stuck them in.

For a while it looked the shrewder call than it turned out to be. Chad Henderson batted with real class for his 55, and once he and Duncan McClintock (29) had put on 63 for the second wicket, Simon Hammond's unbeaten 29 kept the scoreboard ticking along to a brisk 146 for 2 off their twenty. Credit where it's due to Tim Thirkell, whose 1-22 was as tidy as anything we managed all evening, with Mark Christmas chipping in for 1-29 as we searched for a breakthrough that never quite arrived in numbers.

Chasing 147, we might have expected a nervy evening, but Craig Sands had other ideas, playing an innings of real substance for his unbeaten 83 and simply refusing to let East Sutton back into it. I was glad to lend a hand at the other end with 36 not out as we cantered home with overs to spare. Elsewhere, a quiet word of credit to Stewart Morrison, whose 16 runs nudged him past John Ames and into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the sort of landmark that deserves a mention in dispatches even on a night when the headlines belonged elsewhere.

Nine wickets, two points, and a job done with something to spare. A thoroughly satisfactory evening's work.

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

Sunday 21st June saw us make the trip to Bearsted, where the toss went against us and their skipper, fancying his chances in the field, sent us in.

It didn't begin well — a wicket down with just 2 on the board is the sort of start that has a captain rearranging his sunhat nervously — but Mark Christmas played the innings of the day with a fine 45, while I was happy to potter along to an unbeaten 39 at the other end, a knock that, so I'm told, nudges me past Frank Brattle into 25th on the club's all-time run-scoring list — proud moment, or proof I've been at this far too long. Gareth Davies added a tidy 21, and when the ninth wicket went down it was left to the last pair to bail us out, which they duly did, adding a priceless 50 to see us to 140 all out from 45.3 overs. Less happily, Iain Rawson, Ron McCormick and Jamie Ratcliffe all walked back for ducks, swelling the ranks of the club's least wanted club.

Defending 140 was always a big ask, and Rod Maloney made sure of it with a classy unbeaten 66, ably supported by Abhishek Poddar's unbeaten 39, though we did have them rocking early at 4 for 1 and sent Zak Morgan back without so much as a run to his name. I picked up 1 for 11 with the ball — form that keeps me top of the seconds' wicket charts this season with 9 — Jordan Austin chipped in with 1 for 31, and Gareth Davies bowled two miserly maidens. Poor Ron McCormick had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes slipping through, as the visitors reached 141 for 4 in 36.2 overs.

Six wickets the wrong way, then, and plenty to chew over on the drive home. Some fine individual efforts — Iain Cardew, not even playing, still sits fifth in this year's run charts with 66 — but nowhere near enough support around them. Back to the nets.

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

Saturday 20 June 2009, away at West Farleigh, and for once the coin behaved itself. I called correctly and, with the sort of confidence that usually precedes disaster, stuck us in to bat.

We were bowled out for 183, which on a good day might have felt modest but turned out to be exactly enough. Joe Martin and Chris Newman both made 39, and I'll own up to matching them with 39 of my own — the third-wicket stand of 55 the closest thing we had to a partnership of substance. Less gloriously, Will Thirkell and Tim Thirkell both walked back for ducks, a joint entry in the club's ledger of shame that I'm sure neither will let the other forget.

In the field, we set about defending it, and West Farleigh made us work for every run of their 164 for 6 off 45 overs. Jack Crouch's 49 and John Scott's 47 threatened to spoil the afternoon, with David Brown unbeaten on 21 at the death, but Darren Styles was in irrepressible form — 2 for 8 off six miserly maidens, and in the process bringing up 600 career wickets, a landmark worth toasting in the bar. Ian Hollingworth (2-29) and Joe Martin (2-33) chipped in handsomely alongside him.

A fine win by 19 runs. We'll take that, and quietly enjoy it, all the way home.

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

The toss went against us, as it so often does at this time of year, and Staplehurst duly took first knock. We slipped to 8 for 1 early doors and I allowed myself a quiet smile, but A Henson (65) and Tim Watts (61) put paid to any premature optimism, compiling a stand of 122 for the third wicket that had our fielders chasing shadows round the boundary. Credit where it's due, though poor C Henderson will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck. Matthew Carter was the pick of the attack with 4 for 49, I chipped in with 3 for 29 and three maidens for good measure, and Richard Knowler weighed in with 2 for 23, restricting them to 189 for 9 from their 45 overs — a target that felt gettable, if not exactly a formality.

With bat in hand we lost an early wicket cheaply at 3 for 1, but James Piper's watchful 49 and a sturdy 72-run fourth-wicket stand steadied the ship, ably assisted by Paul Gibson's 38 and Richard Knowler's 25 — not to mention a generous 33 extras from our hosts. I contributed a modest 17 down the order, happy to play my part rather than the hero.

We got there with two wickets in hand, which in club cricket terms counts as a canter and a nail-biter in equal measure. A fine win, and onwards we go.

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

Wednesday 17th June, and Sevenoaks & District came calling on a day that had the makings of a proper contest. Lost the toss, asked to bat — never my favourite start to proceedings, but the lads set about it with real purpose. Glen Rawson played the innings of the day, a well-crafted fifty (57) that anchored everything around him, and found the perfect foil in Daniel Thirkell (47) as the pair put on 80 for the third wicket to haul us into commanding territory. Craig Sands chipped in with a useful 34, and 192/6 from our 35 overs felt like a total with enough about it to trouble anyone.

Trouble them it very nearly did. Sevenoaks found their own third-wicket gem, Taylor and S Cork adding 122 between them — Taylor cruising to 74, Cork a fine 48 in support — and for a spell it looked ominous. But we scrapped hard: Tim Wright was the pick of the attack with 2-11, doing real damage, while Matthew Carter (1-25) and I (1-27) chipped away, and Michael Beeney kept things admirably tight with two maidens, not a run given away lightly. C Nightingale departed for a duck, which brought a wry smile from the boys in the field.

In the end Sevenoaks closed on 150/4, well short but with wickets enough in hand to deny us. Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Frustrating in the moment, but on reflection a fair result: a proper old-fashioned tussle, and no shame at all in that.

Tue 16 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLDLW

Captain's Log, 16th June 2009 — West Farleigh CC.

Won the toss, and for once I fancied I knew what I was doing: put them in. Twenty overs of graft brought them 122/9, with Jimmy Emmett the chief architect of our discomfort on 48, Ryan Ravenscroft chipping in a useful 23 around him. Small mercies came in the shape of Alan Smith, sent back for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers — the sort of dismissal that keeps a captain's spirits up on an otherwise sweaty afternoon in the field. Mark Christmas was the pick of the attack by some distance, tearing through with 3-10, well backed up by Michael Beeney's 2-16 and Ryan Boyns' 2-22.

Chasing 123 is never the tidy formality the scorecard suggests, and so it proved. Dave Charlton was the man playing the long innings that actually mattered, 37 well-made runs, with Richard Piper adding 21 and I contributed 22 of my own — modest stuff, but every run counted in the end. It all came down to the wire, wickets tumbling as fast as the runs, until we scrambled home by the barest of margins: one wicket.

A day that did nothing for the nerves and everything for the soul. Cricket at its most agonisingly, gloriously pointless — and we'll take it. Verdict: a win ugly enough to be beautiful, and precisely the sort West Farleigh will remember longer than we deserve.

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

Won the toss on a bright Sunday at Linton Park, and with Eynsford CC visiting I fancied our seamers on a fresh pitch, so in they went. It looked a shrewd call early doors — 1 for 1 inside the first over, and both Howard Collins and Steve Allwright back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, ducks the pair of them. Lindsay Hamill had other ideas and dug in for 41, the lone substantial contribution as Eynsford limped to 114 all out in 38.1 overs. Matthew Carter was the pick with a superb 4-19, Iain Rawson chipped in 4-21 with two miserly maidens, and I managed to get among the wickets myself with 2-20 — happy enough with that, even if what followed rather undid the good work.

Chasing it down, Paul Gibson batted beautifully for an unbeaten 49, and James Piper supported nicely with 36, the pair adding a crucial 59 for the fourth wicket to steer us to 118 for 4 in 35.4 overs. As for the captain's own knock — a golden blob, first ball, out without scoring. Lead by example, they say; on this occasion I led by exception.

A draw, then — honours shared when neither side could quite force the issue. With Gibson now topping the Sunday run charts and Rawson the wickets, spirits remain high. A fair result, all told, and the tea was excellent.

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

Sunday last took us down to Buckhurst, and winning the toss I did what any captain with a decent top order and a nervous disposition does — stuck us in. It proved a shrewd call, even if losing our first wicket for 8 had me reaching for the antacids rather early in proceedings. Thankfully Glen Rawson steadied the ship in style, compiling a handsome 64 and anchoring a stand of 73 for the second wicket that put us back on track. Tom Murphy chipped in with 24 and Jordan Austin 20, while the extras column did its bit too with 26 — sundries clearly fancying their chances more than poor Patrick Hill, who suffered the ignominy of a golden duck. We closed on 176/7 from our 37, a total that felt competitive without being conclusive.

Buckhurst set about the chase with real intent, Andrew Sharp leading their reply with 39, well backed by M McMorran's 26 and Joe Drown's 23. It was a proper arm-wrestle, and I'll admit a quiet satisfaction in finishing with 4-49 myself, with Jon Harris (3-56) and Patrick Hill — redeeming his afternoon nicely — chipping in with 2-24 to squeeze the life out of the innings. They fell agonisingly short, all out for 174 off 36.5.

Two points, then, and earned the hard way — a two-run squeaker that will live longer in the memory than most ten-wicket romps. Glen Rawson and Jon Harris continue to lead our run and wicket charts respectively, and rightly so. A cracking day out.

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

I keep asking myself where the last five overs went, and I still haven't found a good answer.

Winning the toss would have been nice for once, but Leeds & Broomfield fancied a bowl and we duly obliged with the bat first. It didn't start well – gone for 1 with the total on 1, and for a horrible moment I feared the worst. But David Castle set about repairing things with real purpose, and by the time he and his partner had put on 68 for the second wicket the innings had a proper shape to it. Castle went on to 75, well clear of his fifty, with Craig Sands chipping in a handy 40 alongside him. Not everyone's day, mind – poor Richard Piper trudged back for a duck, and there's no dressing that up. Still, 166 for 8 off our 45 overs felt like something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, without quite enough to show for it. Matthew Carter was superb, ripping through with 4 for 33, and I got among the wickets myself, though my 1 for 53 cost rather more than I'd have liked. Geoff Hunt's unbeaten 45, backed up by Adrian Samson's 44 not out and Martin McCague's 42, saw them home despite an early wobble at 0 for 1. Aaron Bailey and John Hartshorn couldn't trouble the scorers, and eight byes off Craig Sands's gloves told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

There was a proper moment of club history too – David Castle brought up 23,000 career runs, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result.

Beaten by five wickets, then, and no arguing with it. We'll be better for it next week.

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

Won the toss, and for once the decision was the easy part — with a green-looking Hunton track and a bit of morning nip in the air, fielding first was never in doubt. Hunton Wanderers battled to 138 all out in 19.1 overs, Stuart Slaughter's 42 the backbone of the innings with John Adams chipping in 39, while at the other end our top order strangled three of theirs — Frankie Pankhurst, Craig Dalton and Ashley Maguire all trudged back without so much as a single to their name. Michael Beeney was magnificent with the new ball, tearing through with 4-21, and found willing accomplices in Matthew Carter (3-17) and Joe Martin (1-13); between them they left Hunton's middle order with nowhere to hide.

Chasing 139, we made harder work of it than the target perhaps deserved, but Stewart Morrison's composed 38 anchored things nicely, and I was glad to play my part with an unbeaten 38 alongside him in a second-wicket stand worth 60 — the innings of the day, in truth. Mark Christmas weighed in with a brisk 25, and we cantered home on 142/4 with overs to spare, winning by six wickets.

A thoroughly good day out all round, and doubly so for Matthew Carter, who brought up 200 career wickets — a landmark that deserved rather more than the warm can of shandy he got in the changing room. Six wickets, a milestone, and the run charts and wicket charts both looking rosy for the club — you could hardly ask for a better Tuesday evening's cricket.

Sun 07 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv 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

Saturday 6th June saw us make the journey to Selsted, and having won the toss I did what any captain half-hoping for a lie-in and a long tea does: stuck us in.

It proved rather a good idea. Paul Gibson played the sort of innings that gets talked about at the bar for weeks, an unbeaten 163 of real class, and found willing company in Iain Rawson, 34 not out, while I chipped in with 28 of my own down the order. A sixth-wicket stand of 62 gave the innings its spine, and the tail, rather than the usual meek surrender, wagged furiously to add a frustrating 169 for Selsted to mop up. Extras threw in a generous 35, though David Castle's duck earns him the walk of shame in the Duck Club ledger.

301/7 from 45 overs was always going to take some chasing, and Selsted never quite found the legs for it, despite Stuart Green's well-made 63 and useful contributions from Gareth Hunt and Jason Wilkins. Their openers put on 81 before the roof caved in - David Howland, K Jenopan and Simon Norris all back in the pavilion without scoring, poor souls. Iain Rawson did the damage with 3-37, Richard Knowler chimed in with 2-10, I picked up 2-44, and Michael Beeney bowled miserly enough to bank three maidens.

Nice touches, too: Craig Sands reached 9,000 career runs, and Paul Gibson - not content with today's heroics - brought up 15,000. A fine day, won by 120 runs, and thoroughly earned.

Tue 02 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWLD

Off strode Bearsted CC on a fine June Tuesday, and I called it right at the toss, no dithering — we'd bat.

We limped and lurched to 151/7 from our twenty, which on this pitch felt about right, if not quite enough to swagger about. Paul Gibson was the innings' backbone, a fine 49, with Iain Cardew's 37 keeping him honest company, and I chipped in an unbeaten 32 down the order to nudge us past the 150 mark. Less gloriously, Tom Murphy and Laurie Probert both took that lonely walk back for ducks — the sort of shared misery that at least gives the tea interval something to chuckle about.

With ball in hand we simply couldn't lay a glove on them. G Cook batted like a man who'd read the script in advance, cruising to 85 not out, well supported by Greg Laurenson's unbeaten 41 and Noel Johnston's brisk 21. Patrick Hill toiled manfully for his 1-43, the lone wicket in an otherwise chastening evening, as Bearsted cantered home on 154/1 with two overs unused.

Beaten by nine wickets, then — a proper hiding, no dressing it up. But there was enough in Gibson's innings, and enough fight in patches, to suggest the bones of a decent side. We'll dust ourselves off and come back stronger next week; that, at least, is the Linton Park way.

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

Here is the match report.

Sunday 31 May 2009 saw us make the trip to Yalding, and I lost the toss for my troubles — not the last piece of misfortune of the day, though it set the tone for a match that would, in the end, deliver no one anything. Put into the field, we chipped away steadily as Yalding progressed to 177/8 from their forty overs, Muhammad Shahzad Rafiq the chief architect with a well-made 43, Shumshair Haider (28) and Adnan Pervaiz (22) lending sturdy support in a second-wicket stand worth 53. I was pleased enough with my own contribution of 2-28, and delighted that Richard Knowler (2-31) and Michael Beeney (2-38) kept the pressure on throughout — a proper team effort with the ball.

With 178 to chase, the top order rather let itself down — the first wicket fell for a solitary run, and both Rawsons, Glen and Iain, endured the walk back without troubling the scorers. It fell to Paul Gibson to hold the innings together, and hold it he did, an unbeaten 71 carrying us to 179/8, ably assisted by Craig Sands (20), thirty-seven extras, and my own watchful 17 somewhere in the middle. Iain Rawson's afternoon was salvaged by news of a different kind — a hundred career wickets banked, whatever the bat had to say about it.

So a draw it was, honours even at Yalding. Not the win we came for, but with Gibson batting like that and wickets shared all round, there's plenty here to build on.

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

Won the toss at Lord Raglan on Sunday and I elected to field — the right call, I felt, and I'll stand by that regardless of what follows. Their opener Davis had other ideas, ghosting to an untroubled 107 not out and anchoring a total of 198/7 from the forty overs, with a first-wicket stand of 53 doing much of the early damage. There were compensations: Roberts and Smith departed without so much as a nudge, and I took a bit of stick out of the attack myself, finishing with 2-15 — enough, I'm reliably informed, to nudge me past Tony Gauna and into fifteenth on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, which is either a fine achievement or a sign of how long I've been doing this. Jon Harris and Joshua Knowler chipped in with two apiece.

Chasing 199, we never quite got there. Iain Cardew batted beautifully for 64, Ron McCormick supported him well with 34, and their third-wicket stand of 82 gave us genuine hope, with Daniel Jackson unbeaten on 21 at the death. But three ducks — Wright, Hogg and Newman all back before troubling the scorers — and sixteen extras in byes (a testing afternoon behind the stumps for McCormick) told their own story, and we finished on 161/8.

Beaten by 37 runs in the end. Character-building stuff, and we'll be better for it next week.

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

Skipper's Log — Saturday 30 May 2009, Headcorn CC at home.

I called correctly at the toss and, with barely a flicker of hesitation, sent them in. It looked the right call for a while too: some tidy work with the ball kept Headcorn to 143/4 from their 31.3 overs, Richard Quigley's 38 the main obstacle, well supported by Luke Mangold's 37 and an unbeaten 21 from James Hopkins. Lewis Burnham set the tone with 1-9, Rory High and Will Thirkell chipped in a wicket apiece, and Dan Barkaway kept things admirably mean with two maidens. All told, a score we felt we could chase.

And chase it we very nearly did. I found some form with the bat, easing past fifty and finishing unbeaten on 67, doing the bulk of the scoring almost single-handedly. At 133-7 we were coasting towards victory with the finish line in sight — and then, in the time it takes to put the kettle on, it all came apart. Seven runs and three wickets later we were bowled out for 140, with Lewis Burnham, Jason White and Dan Barkaway all departing for golden ducks in a collapse as dramatic as it was painfully swift.

Three runs. Three runs short, after all that. There's small consolation in the season charts — I lead the 2nd XI run-scoring with 231, and Tim Thirkell sits second in the wickets column with 9 — but on the day it was not our afternoon. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

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

From the captain's chair — Saturday 30 May 2009, and a trip out to Milstead CC that turned into rather a fine day at the office. I called correctly at the toss and, with the sun doing its best village-green impression, there was never any doubt I'd bat first.

It didn't start smoothly — one wicket down with the board barely off nought — but from there the innings settled into something rather special. I found my rhythm and went on to make 122, my first century of note this season, with Nigel Thirkell providing sterling company for a stand worth 168 for the fourth wicket that turned a nervy start into a platform. Iain Cardew chipped in with a brisk 33, though further down the order Glen Rawson, Ryan Boyns and Chris Newman all fell for golden ducks — three in a row is the sort of thing that gets mentioned in the bar for weeks. A generous 25 extras from our hosts rounded us up to a formidable 296/7 from 45 overs.

Defending that total, Milstead gave it a fair go — Tom Palmer's unbeaten 83 and James Beech's 60 built an 81-run third-wicket stand that threatened to make a match of it — but Ryan Boyns bowled beautifully for 2-10, well backed by Michael Beeney and Chris Newman, and 224/6 was as far as they got.

A fine win by 72 runs, and I'll happily admit leading from the front never felt sweeter. Onwards to Milstead's away fixture next season, I hope, with similarly generous hospitality.

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

Lost the toss on a bright Sunday and asked to bowl first against Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill — not the news I wanted, but needs must. Early on it looked a canny call by the opposition skipper as they slipped to 1 for 1, but Ian Hayward (33) and useful contributions from Michael Hanson (25) and Sam Pepper (24) steadied things, and a stubborn seventh-wicket stand added 66 to threaten a total worth defending. Credit to the lads for not panicking — we simply waited our moment, then tore through the tail, six wickets tumbling for seven runs as 106 for 7 became 113 all out. Tim Wright was the chief destroyer with 3 for 43, Matthew Carter chipped in with 2 for 15 (and two maidens for good measure — not a run given away lightly), and Dan Barkaway took 2 for 35. David Smith and Leigh Short both departed without troubling the scorers, which I'm sure they'll want left out of this report, though evidently I'm not one to oblige.

Chasing 114, we made light work of it. James Piper batted beautifully for an unbeaten 41, Laurie Probert supported nicely with 36, and I was happy to see us home with 23 not out myself, finishing on 117 for 1 with overs to spare. Laurie now sits second in our season's run charts, and Matthew Carter leads the wicket-takers — form to be proud of. A thoroughly professional nine-wicket win, two points banked, and tea thoroughly earned.

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

Sunday 24 May 2009 saw us make the trip to Sissinghurst, and I've no shame in admitting the toss went my way — bat first was the only call worth making on a day like that.

Ryan Boyns proceeded to bat as though he'd been promised a knighthood for every run, and duly brought up three figures on his way to a magnificent 131. Ron McCormick chipped in with a tidy 33, and Richard Piper saw us home unbeaten on 20 as we closed on 226 for 5 from our 41 overs — a total that had me feeling rather pleased with myself at tea.

That feeling did not survive the afternoon. Sissinghurst set about the chase with Trevor Wright playing the innings of the day, 91 of pure quality, ably assisted by Andrew Knowler's unbeaten 71 and Ian Wicks's 32. We did at least have the small mercy of sending Matthew Tatnell back for a golden duck, and Chris Newman bowled beautifully for his 1 for 31. I managed to prise out a wicket myself, 1 for 48 — hardly miserly, but a wicket's a wicket — and Joshua Knowler picked up one for 53. It wasn't enough; they cantered home on 227 for 3 with over an over to spare, winning by seven wickets.

Ryan Boyns remains our leading run-scorer this season with 182, and Joshua Knowler tops the wicket charts with five. As for us, it's heads up and back to the nets — this one simply wasn't our day.

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

Well, they say cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty, though I confess there wasn't a great deal of that on show at Linton Park last Saturday. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer — and Lenham chose to bowl. Whatever plans they had went rather swiftly out of the window.

Richard Piper batted as though he had a train to catch and all the time in the world to catch it, ghosting to an unbeaten 123 that will live long in the memory — and, as it turns out, in the record books, easing past John Ames into 15th on the club's all-time run-scoring list. He was hardly a lone hand: Nigel Thirkell (70) and Glen Rawson (55) both raised bats of their own, the openers laying down a platform of 119 before the first wicket finally fell, and we closed on a mighty 318 for 2.

Defending that sort of total rather takes the pressure off the captain, and I'll admit I merely tidied up with a couple of maidens while Richard Knowler did the real damage, his 3-34 backed up nicely by Michael Beeney (3-44) and Matthew Carter (2-23). Pete Humphries fought hard for his fifty, well supported by Dave Bunch and Russell Gray, but Lenham were bowled out for 161, poor Simon Beaney departing without troubling the scorers.

A win by 157 runs, then — one for the scrapbook, and Piper's name climbing ever higher up that famous list. Onwards indeed.

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

Sunday 17 May, Brasted Invicta the visitors, and for once the toss actually fell my way — I had no hesitation sticking them in, and for twenty overs or so it looked like the sort of decision that gets a captain a pint bought for him rather than poured over him.

We bowled beautifully. Brasted were skittled for 79 in 34.4 overs, the innings unravelling spectacularly from 69-7 to all out in the blink of an eye — Mark Wilson and Mark Copley both back in the pavilion for ducks, presumably wondering what they'd done to deserve our attack that day. Iain Rawson was magnificent, 4-22 and full value for his wickets, while Matthew Carter bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the last biscuit in the tin — 2-9 including four maidens — and Richard Knowler chipped in with 2-13. I managed to sneak in a couple of wickets myself, which I'm reliably informed nudged me past Stuart Cheesman into 24th on the club's all-time list — not bad for a Sunday's work, even if nobody was actually counting except the scorebook.

Chasing 80, we made light work of it — 83-4 off just 15 overs, Craig Sands leading the charge with a fine 34 that also puts him top of our early-season run charts, with Rawson now leading the wickets column too.

A thoroughly satisfying six-wicket win, wrapped up with time to spare for tea. Onwards.

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

Sunday 10 May 2009 saw Wingham CC roll up for what promised, as ever, to be a proper Sunday contest, and having called correctly for once I did the sporting thing and stuck us in.

What followed was as good a morning's batting as I can remember. Richard Piper and David Castle put on 138 for the first wicket before either was so much as troubled, Piper going on to 63 and Castle chipping in with a well-made 62, and when the breakthrough finally came Craig Sands strolled to an unbeaten 59 to steer us to a handsome 219 for 3 from our 35 overs. I should confess, in the interests of the ledger, that my own contribution was a golden duck — the walk of shame performed with all the dignity I could muster, which wasn't much.

In the field we set about defending it, and while Wingham never quite got away from us, they never quite went away either. Adam Cork departed without scoring, which felt like fair reward for our earlier generosity, and Iain Rawson bowled beautifully for 2-15, well backed by Matthew Carter's 2-22 and Joe Martin's 1-28. But Ross Griggs held firm for an unbeaten 39, with Jamie Watkins (31) and David Clipstone (29) lending support, and the visitors closed on 158 for 6.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. A fine batting display, tidy bowling, and one captain's duck to keep everybody's feet on the ground.

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

Won the toss on Saturday and, with West Farleigh CC visiting Linton Park, I fancied runs on the board, so in we went. It didn't start prettily — 7 for 1 had the tea urn practically boiling over with concern — but Paul Gibson settled things with a handsome fifty (53), and found good company in Craig Sands (35) and Richard Knowler (32) as we ground our way to a respectable 190 for 9 off our 45. Poor Richard Piper, meanwhile, makes his entry in the club's less illustrious ledger — out for a duck, and the long walk back is never a short one.

With the total looking useful, it was our turn to make life difficult with the ball, and difficult we duly made it. West Farleigh never got comfortable, sliding from 46 for 3 to 58 for 6 as the pressure told, with Ian Prideaux and Mick Goodrich both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Michael Beeney was the chief tormentor with a fine 4 for 31, well supported by Iain Rawson's 3 for 23, while I chipped in with 2 for 14 and five maidens of my own — not a run given away lightly. Only Paul Taylor, unbeaten on 31, and Senthil Muniyasamy's 20 offered any real resistance as they folded for 98.

A 92-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Craig Sands and Michael Beeney continue to lead our season's run and wicket charts respectively, and long may that healthy rivalry continue.

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

Skipper's Log — Sunday 3rd May 2009

Chelsfield Exiles rolled up to Linton Park on a Sunday that, for once, went entirely to plan. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and for 40 overs the lads made sure I looked like a genius rather than a chancer. Glen Rawson batted with real class for his unbeaten 116, but it was the platform that made the innings: an opening stand of 117 before the first wicket even fell. Ryan Boyns chipped in handsomely with 51, Jamie Ratcliffe added a tidy 34, and we closed on a formidable 225/3. Not everything gleamed, mind — Carl Davis endured the walk of shame for a duck, and I'm sure the teas were tinged with his sympathy.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it proved, though Alistair MacNab gave the visitors something to cheer with a battling 57 not out, backed up by J Chapman's 35 and A Gray's 20. But three ducks in a row for K King, C King and W Parkinson told its own story, and Joshua Knowler was magnificent, ripping through with 4-35. I did my bit with the ball too, taking 2-16, while Sam Boyns weighed in with 2-32. Craig Sands had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes, but no matter — the opposition were bowled out for 193 in the 45th over.

A fine win by 32 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying one at that. Onwards.

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

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 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 · HomeformLWDDD

Winning the toss on a bright Saturday, I fancied a bowl and stuck Sheldwich in — a decision that looked shrewd for about ten overs and increasingly reckless thereafter. James Creed settled in for the long haul and made merry to the tune of 97, well supported by Daniel Ray's crisp 58 and Sam Harrison's brisk 38, as Sheldwich cruised to 251 for 6 from their forty overs. Only poor A Holmes departed without troubling the scorers. Credit where due: Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline for 2-28, with Tim Thirkell (1-35) and Richard Knowler (1-39) chipping in to at least slow the bleeding.

Chasing 252 was always going to ask questions of us, and we didn't have the answers. I dug in for 40 — enough, as it turned out, to top the club's run charts for the season so far, which tells you rather more about our batting than it does about me. Richard Knowler stayed unbeaten on a watchful 31 and Glen Rawson added 28, but wickets fell around them, and Richard Piper and Matthew Carter both walked back for ducks. We closed on 164 for 7.

Eighty-seven runs the wrong side of the ledger, then, and a chastening one to sign off on. Michael Beeney's 2-28 now leads our wicket charts too — small consolation on a day when Sheldwich simply had too many gears for us. Nets on Tuesday, and no excuses.