🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 25 Sep 2011 🧢 1st XIv CX Chairman's XI · HomeformLLWDL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 25 September 2011. Chairman's XI came calling, and winning the toss I had no hesitation electing to bat, which for once looked like genuine tactical wisdom rather than blind optimism. The lads duly delivered 290/8 from our forty overs, built on a superb 83 from Daniel Thirkell and handsomely backed up by Will Thirkell's 60 and Ryan Boyns' well-struck fifty. The pair added a crucial 79 for the third wicket that really set the platform, and even our 26 extras chipped in nobly. Poor Thomas Beeney will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but a report without at least one fallen soldier would hardly be honest.

Chasing 291, Chairman's XI battled hard through Tom Davey's fine 71, ably supported by Adrian Samson's 35 and Adrian Moll's 32, but they were bowled out for 239 in the 39th over. Daniel Thirkell, evidently not content with his runs, took the ball and ran through them with 3-14, while Martin Harris toiled away for 3-46 including two tidy maidens, and Stuart Cheesman picked up 1-5. Paul Davey and Ray Dixon both departed without troubling the scorers. Behind the stumps it was a trickier afternoon, ten byes slipping past for the memory of it.

We got over the line by 51 runs — a thoroughly good day for the club, and one Daniel Thirkell can chalk up as another instalment towards his season-leading run tally.

Sat 24 Sep 2011 🧢 1st XIv Offham CC · HomeformWLLWD

I called it right at the toss and, with the sun still doing its best impression of summer, elected to bat — a decision that looked briefer than I'd have liked. We were bowled out for 98 in 31.4 overs, and it was only my own 20 that gave the innings any shape at all, dragging us along while wickets clattered from 27-1 to 33-4 in the sort of rush that has grown men reaching for the tea urn early. Will Thirkell, Jack Gwynn and Martin Harris all trooped back for ducks, proof that the Offham bowlers had found their radar rather better than we had found ours.

Ninety-eight was never going to trouble anyone, and so it proved. Offham eased to 99/3 in 24.4 overs, Ben Gittings unbeaten on 42 and Adam Kent's 30 doing the heavy lifting, though we did at least send Jamie Powell packing without so much as a squeak off the bat. Darren Styles was pick of the attack with 1-10, and I chipped in with 1-20 and a couple of maidens for good measure, keeping things tight even as the game slipped away. Poor Will Thew had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes escaping his gloves like eels.

Richard Piper continues to sit fourth in the season's run charts with 294, and I find myself leading the wicket-takers on 28 — small consolations on a day we lost by seven wickets. Not our finest hour; heads up, and back to the nets.

Wed 14 Sep 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformDDDLW

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 14 September 2011. Away at Penshurst Park CC, and the coin let us down again, so it was pads off, boots on and out into the field first.

Penshurst set about building a total, and while nobody quite ran away with it, Andy Eames' composed 52 gave their innings its backbone, well supported by John Boyden (39) and Graham Nicholls (34) — that eighth-wicket stand of 61 doing most of the damage to our afternoon. I can't say I was unhappy to see Mark Lower back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and pleasingly I found some rhythm myself with the ball, finishing with 3-37 to lead the attack. Darren Styles bowled beautifully in support — 2-15 with five maidens is the kind of miserly spell that makes a captain's job easy — while Tim Thirkell chipped in with 2-29. All out for 198 in 39.2 overs felt like a fair result for a good shift in the field.

Chasing it down was never going to be straightforward, but Stuart Cheesman played the innings of the day, an assured 54 that also nudged him past Jim Hall into 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Craig Sands (43 not out) and Ryan Boyns (38) built around him — Boyns' contribution doubling as the milestone that took him past 2,000 career runs for the club — with a 55-run third-wicket stand the platform for victory. Michael Beeney's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise tidy card.

Three wickets in hand at the end, 201/7, and the win in the bag. A proper team effort, milestones and all — a very good day for the club.

Sun 11 Sep 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv HC Harbledown CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday 11th September saw Harbledown CC visit, and having lost the toss I found myself leading the side into the field on what felt like the least glamorous end of the coin flip. As it turned out, that suited us rather well.

Harbledown eventually settled on 170/8 from their 42 overs, built chiefly around James Curtiss's unbeaten fifty, with Samuel Fruin (36) and Neil Harrison (28) chipping in respectably. But it was our attack that did the real damage to their scoring rate — Sam Boyns bowled beautifully for 3-20, with Will Thirkell and Ryan Boyns both weighing in with a wicket apiece, and I was pleased enough with a couple of maidens of my own to keep things honest at the other end.

Chasing 171, we never quite got the innings purring. Daniel Thirkell's 34 was the backbone of the effort, well supported by Craig Sands's 30, but wickets fell steadily around them and we stumbled to 142/9 from our 38 overs. Poor Martin Harris will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck, though I'm duty-bound to record it for posterity. A generous 32 extras from Harbledown's bowlers did more for our total than several of us managed with the bat.

So honours shared, and on reflection a draw feels about right — we bowled like a side chasing a result, batted like one grateful for the extras column, and left the field with pride just about intact. Tea, as ever, was the true winner of the day.

Sat 10 Sep 2011 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLLLDW

Kevin Presneill here, filing from the road to Headcorn. We lost the toss, were put into the field, and I confess my heart always sinks slightly when the opposition captain fancies a bowl first — but the lads knuckled down and built us a total worth defending. I got us going with 45, and Tim Wright chipped in nicely with 38, while the extras column did its usual quietly heroic work with 27. Poor Trevor Back, meanwhile, endured the walk of shame for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, Trevor, and no doubt will again. We closed on 146/6 from our 45 overs, a total that felt about right for the conditions.

Out in the field, Headcorn never quite got going against us. Ian Hollingworth bowled beautifully — 3 for 23 with six maidens is the sort of spell that strangles a run chase rather than blows it away — and we had Richard Munro and Seb Holmes back in the hutch without scoring, which kept the scoreboard pressure firmly on Headcorn's shoulders. They crawled to 51/3 from 26.1 overs before both sides accepted the inevitable.

So, honours shared — a draw when neither team could quite force the issue. Not the stuff of legend, but a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket: runs in the bank, wickets in the book, and Trevor's duck safely filed away for future ribbing. We'll take it, and we'll be back next week looking to go one better.

Sat 10 Sep 2011 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLWLLW

Here is the match report — a draw for Linton Park CC v Headcorn CC, 10 September 2011.

There are days in this fine old game when you win the toss and days when you don't, and Saturday was emphatically the latter — Headcorn called correctly and had us in the field first, which after forty-five years of village cricket wisdom I can confirm nobody actually enjoys watching from the boundary rope with a cup of tea.

Still, the lads made the visitors pay for their cheek. Daniel Thirkell batted with the sort of calm authority that makes captaincy look easy, cruising to 93 not out, while Richard Knowler played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 47 and Richard Piper chipped in a useful 24. We closed on a healthy 201 for 4 from our 45 overs, the kind of total that lets a captain sleep soundly at tea.

With the ball, I found some rhythm of my own and picked up 3 for 32, with Thomas Beeney and Sam Boyns offering excellent support — Boyns particularly miserly with three maidens to go with his 1 for 9, and Beeney snapping up 1 for 1. Andre Hatton went for a duck, poor soul. Kevin Richardson battled hard for Headcorn with 40, backed by Paul Putland's 21, but they never quite threatened the total, closing on 79 for 5 from 26.3 overs before the umpires called it a day.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could force the issue, though on the balance of the afternoon's cricket, I'd say we were rather glad of the tea urn and the moral victory.

Sun 04 Sep 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC · HomeformWLLWL

Here's the match report:

It's not often the toss goes against us and I'm still smiling by close of play, but Sunday's visit of Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow gave us plenty to smile about. Asked to bat first, we set about building something substantial, and David Castle (41) and Trevor Back (41) shared a handy fourth-wicket stand of 63 to give the innings a proper spine. Thomas Beeney chipped in with 40 of his own, and by the time the tail had wagged its way to a final 36 runs — much to the fielding side's evident frustration — we'd posted a healthy 196/6 from our 38 overs. A score, I felt, with a bit of bite to it.

And bite it did. Defending totals can be a nervy business, but not today. An early wicket with just 8 on the board set the tone, and from there the innings simply unravelled — 53/6 became 59/9 in the blink of an eye, with Tom Roberts, Jamie Stevens and Barry Lineker all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Will Bramley-Harker was outstanding with the ball, tearing through with 3-12, well backed by Jordan Austin (2-15) and Matthew Carter, whose three maidens strangled any hope of momentum. I managed 2-24 myself, happy to play my part. Only Simon Tombs, unbeaten on 32, showed any real resistance as they folded for 74.

A 122-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 03 Sep 2011 🧢 2nd XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformDLLLD

As we won the toss, I put Selsdon in the field first and settled in to watch the lads bat.

We posted 192 for 6 off our 42 overs, and I'm rather pleased to say I had a hand in it myself, finishing unbeaten on 49 to top the card. Daniel Thirkell chipped in nicely with 34 and Will Thew added 24, and the pair of us in the middle order put on a crucial 52 that gave the innings some proper shape. Credit too to a defiant last-wicket stand that added a further 71 — the sort of tail-end nonsense that turns a modest total into a competitive one. Not everyone's day, mind: poor Laurie Probert departed for a duck, and I dare say he'll not thank me for mentioning it here.

With the ball, we made short work of Selsdon, bowling them out for 111 in just 29 overs. Jack Coles played the anchor role for them with 28, Eric Clemming supporting with 24, but the rest offered little resistance — Matthew Winter and Mike Parry both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Thomas Beeney was the pick of our attack, a fine 3 for 22, with Richard Knowler (2-26) and Matthew Carter (2-45) mopping up either end.

A splendid afternoon all round, capped by Richard Piper bringing up 10,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to in the bar. Won by 81 runs, and thoroughly deserved. Two points banked, and the tea urn well earned.

Wed 31 Aug 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLDDDL

Wednesday last took us down the road to The Mote CC, and for once the toss went our way — or so I thought, sending them in under skies that threatened more than they delivered. They ground their way to 120 all out in 45.3 overs, Matthew White the chief nuisance with an unbeaten 35, ably supported by Robert O'Brien's 27 and Gus Fordham's 25. Jason White, Richard Usher and T Matthewson will not trouble the scorebook this week, three ducks among them. The real story, though, was Michael Beeney, relentless and miserly, taking 4-11 with five maidens that strangled any momentum before it began. Matthew Carter chipped in with 2-15, and I managed to sneak among the wickets myself with 2-17 — the least I could do given the standard being set around me.

Chasing 121 was never going to be a formality on that surface, and so it proved, though we got there with something to spare — 121/5 from 37.4 overs. Will Thirkell led from the front with 31, Laurie Probert added a composed 25 and Craig Sands 23, while poor Iain Rawson departed for a golden duck, the only real blemish on an otherwise tidy chase.

Two points, and thoroughly earned, won by four wickets. Thirkell continues to lead our run charts this season, Carter our wickets — and on this evidence, long may both continue. A proper away win, no fuss, no fireworks, just cricket done properly.

Sun 28 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Cowdrey CC · HomeformWWWWW

It was Cowdrey CC at home last Sunday, and for once the log book makes for cheerful reading. Ryan Boyns played the innings of the day, an assured 78, with Laurie Probert not far behind on a handsome 62 to give our 223/9 from 42 overs real substance. I contributed a workmanlike 22 down the order, more graft than glamour, while poor Michael Beeney will want the scorebook burned after his golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he took the ribbing in good spirit.

With such a total banked, the tea interval had a rare air of quiet confidence about it, and so it proved. Cowdrey never got going, subsiding to 93 all out inside 26 overs. Tom Foster's 37 and Gayashan Munasinghe's 33 were the only real resistance, while Dirk Brink, Richard Marsh and Chris Jesson all trooped back without troubling the scorers. Martin Harris was magnificent, ripping through them with 4-23, and I was pleased to chip in with 2-0 myself, with Mark Christmas taking 1-1 to complete the rout.

A fine team performance all round, and fitting reward for a summer's graft — Christmas continues to lead our run charts on 406, and I'm rather proud to sit atop the wicket column with 22. Comfortably over the line, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Thu 25 Aug 2011 🧢 Tour XIv EC East Bergholt CC · AwayformLTLDW

The coin fell kindly for once, and I put East Bergholt in without much of a plan beyond "let's see what happens" — the usual captain's masterstroke of educated guesswork. Happily it paid off. The lads bowled with real discipline and had the home side shovelled out for 151 in 45.3 overs. J Elford dug in for an unbeaten 33, with Jonathan Tingey and Nathan Philpot both chipping in useful 23s, but nothing ever quite got away from us. I found some rhythm and finished with 3-26, well supported by Martin Harris (2-20) and Jon Harris (2-34), while Will Thirkell bowled with the sort of miserly control that leaves batsmen muttering into their gloves — two maidens to prove it.

Chasing 152 for the win, we were given the perfect platform by a first-wicket stand of 59. Nigel Thirkell went on to bring up a thoroughly well-made fifty, finishing unbeaten on 62, ably backed by Rick Jones (37) and Will Thirkell's brisk 24 not out. We got over the line by five wickets with a few overs to spare, 153/5 from 36.4 overs, without ever looking especially troubled.

Nigel continues to top our 2011 Tour XI run charts with 110, and Martin Harris leads the wicket-takers with 6 — form the rest of us can only admire from a respectful distance. All told, a good day for the club: professional in the field, calm with the bat, and home in good time for a well-earned pint.

Wed 24 Aug 2011 🧢 Tour XIv NX N.Jackson XI · AwayformLLTLD

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 24 August 2011. Away to N.Jackson XI.

The coin let us down and we were put into the field, which on reflection suited us rather nicely. N.Jackson XI never really got going, subsiding from a shaky 39-2 to a wobbling 48-5 and eventually collapsing to be bowled out entirely, D Coates departing without troubling the scorers. Bouviere's 25 was the only real resistance worth the name. I was fortunate enough to strike early and often with 2-5, and I wasn't short of company, Will Thirkell (2-8) and Martin Harris (2-10) both tearing through the order like they had somewhere else to be.

With the total there for the taking, we knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets in 17.3 overs, Martin Harris top-scoring with a composed 26 not out and Will Thirkell right alongside him unbeaten on 25. Poor Nat Presneill will want to forget his golden duck, but with the game already won by the time he strode out, it cost us nothing but his pride.

Will Thirkell continues to lead the way with the bat this season, now on 65 Tour XI runs, while Richard Knowler still tops the bowling with 5 wickets. As for the rest of us, we'll keep chipping away.

A tidy six-wicket win, professionally dispatched. Onwards.

Mon 22 Aug 2011 🧢 Tour XIv WC Woolpit CC · AwayformWLLTL

The road took us to Woolpit on a Monday in August, and my luck was out before a ball had been bowled — I lost the toss and we were asked to field, which after two sessions in the outfield felt like rather less of a bargain than they'd hoped. Woolpit rattled us early, four for one, but a Deeley innings of real substance (74) and a well-crafted fifty from Starling put together 109 for the third wicket and steadied their ship rather more than ours. Fiddes chipped in with 27 as they closed on 217 for 8 from their 42 overs. Credit to the attack, though: Richard Knowler toiled hard for 4-55, Sam Boyns and Martin Harris picked up two apiece, and young Joshua Knowler bowled two tidy maidens to keep things honest.

Chasing 218, we lost an early wicket cheaply at six for one, but Presneill (49) and I put on 93 together for the third wicket, with Will Thirkell adding a brisk 40 alongside my 48 to keep the required rate in sight. Three ducks on the card — Wright and both Knowlers — reminded us cricket has no sentiment, and thirty-five extras did rather more work than we'd like to admit. We finished on 192 for 7.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Frustrating, but on this evidence, honest work.

Sun 21 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv GC Great Chart CC · AwayformWWLLW

Sunday saw us make the trip to Great Chart, and true to form the coin let me down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss, fancied batting, and I trudged back to set a field wondering what I'd done to upset the cricketing gods this early in the day. It showed. Their openers put on a positively rude 130 before we prised the first one out, and from there Ivor Duffy (72), Ivan Baker (70 not out) and Dave Daniels (53) all helped themselves, taking them to a hefty 256/3 from their forty overs. Iain Rawson was our pick with 1-37, Joshua Knowler chipping in with 1-43, but in truth we spent most of the afternoon fetching the ball from the boundary.

Chasing 257 was always a stretch, and though Rawson made the runs that mattered with 47, well supported by Knowler (39) and Will Thew (28), plus a handy 77 for the seventh wicket, we subsided to 165/9. Martin Harris's contribution was a golden duck, which about summed up our luck with the bat. Twenty-four wides gifted along the way didn't help our cause either.

On the bright side, Will Thew (217 runs) and Joshua Knowler (11 wickets) both sit third in the season's charts. Beaten by 91 runs in the end — a proper hiding, but we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 21 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday last saw us welcome Bidborough CC to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss, I took the not-uncontroversial decision to field first. I'll admit to a few raised eyebrows on the boundary, but with the sun overhead and a bit of juice in the pitch, it felt right — and for once, so it proved.

Bidborough compiled a respectable 178 for 8 from their 42 overs, built around a watchful 33 not out from Will Serjeant, with useful support from Gary Thorne (29) and Barnaby Hodgknins (25). Michael Beeney was in inspired form, ripping through with 3 for 19, well backed by Thomas Beeney (2-28) and Jack Gwynn (2-35), while poor Daniel Page trudged off for a duck. I contributed a couple of tidy maidens myself, which felt like a minor personal triumph against a side clearly intent on milking the singles.

Chasing 179, we scarcely broke sweat. Mark Christmas played an innings of real substance — an unbeaten hundred, no less — anchoring the reply in fine style, ably supported by Richard Piper's brisk 31 as the pair put on a hundred for the first wicket before a ball had troubled the scoreboard operator. We cantered home in 30.1 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Spare a thought for Craig Sands, who had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes escaping his gloves — the only blemish on an otherwise chastening day for the visitors.

An eight-wicket win, two points banked, and Christmas continuing his imperious march up the season's run charts. All told, a proper afternoon of village cricket — and a thoroughly deserved victory.

Sat 20 Aug 2011 🧢 1st XIv OC Otterden CC · AwayformWLWLL

Winning the toss at Otterden, I had no hesitation whatsoever in asking the lads to pad up first. It proved the right call, if a touch nervy in the execution — 190 for 7 from our 38 overs was a total built on Craig Sands' fine half-century, 54 well made, with Laurie Probert (24) and Richard Knowler (21) providing sturdy support either side of a match-defining stand of 79 for the fourth wicket.

Then came the fun part. Otterden's reply never got out of second gear, subsiding to 97 all out in just 31.2 overs. J White (29) and R Sabin (25) offered the only real resistance; everyone else, including the unfortunate trio of Geoff Mills, G Young and Bailey Snr, departed without troubling the scorers. Martin Harris was the chief destroyer with a superb 3 for 11, reaching the landmark of 50 career wickets in the same spell — which called for rather more than the usual restrained applause from the boundary. Matthew Carter chipped in with 2 for 12, three of his overs maidens that gave away nothing, and Sam Boyns tidied up with 2 for 29.

A 93-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Craig Sands continues to bat like a man with runs to spare, sitting third in this season's run charts on 416; Matthew Carter keeps topping the wicket pile with 24 for the summer; and Martin Harris has now taken more wickets for this club than most of us have had hot dinners. A very good day indeed — and one to savour on the drive home.

Wed 17 Aug 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformLLDDD

The coin flew, I called it wrong, and Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC, with the sort of quiet confidence I've come to dread, stuck us in. Batting first is meant to be the gift; on a day like this it felt more like a summons. We were bowled out for 153 in 40.2 overs, rescued from ignominy by Stuart Cheesman, who sailed serenely past his fifty to finish on 65 and gave the innings a spine it badly needed. Craig Sands chipped in nicely with 22, while at the other end Tim Wright and Martin Harris both departed for golden ducks — the sort of scores that make a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces.

With the ball, we scrapped hard. Michael Beeney was the pick of the attack by some distance, tying the visitors down with two maidens on his way to 3-27, and got fine support from Tim Wright (1-10) and Darren Styles (1-18). But Dave Sloane had other ideas, compiling an unbeaten 66 that anchored their chase, ably assisted by Derek Smith's 23. Craig Sands, doing double duty behind the stumps, had a torrid afternoon of it, shipping 18 byes — bless him, the ball seemed to enjoy a game of hide and seek more than he did.

In the end, Tunbridge Wells got home by four wickets, leaving us to trudge off in the traditional manner — heads slightly bowed, tea slightly stewed. Will Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 142, and Iain Rawson sits second among the wicket-takers with four. We were beaten, fair and square, but not disgraced. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 14 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Chelsfield Park CC · HomeformWWWLL

Sunday 14 August 2011, and Chelsfield Park CC arrived at Linton Park for what turned out to be a proper afternoon's cricket. The coin let me down again — I really must practise my call — and they had no hesitation putting us into the field. Not that we minded: 192/6 from their 45 overs felt eminently gettable, even with Stuart Pinchin giving us a fright, cruising to 84 while Roydon Sharr (32) and Aaron Carrett (24) chipped in around a stubborn 52-run third-wicket stand. Credit to the bowlers for keeping it honest — Joe Millen led the way with 2-34, Jon Harris and Benjamin Austin did their bit too, and Martin Harris's two maidens were the sort of overs that make a captain sleep easier.

Chasing 193, we could have made life harder for ourselves but didn't. Jordan Austin played an innings for the ages — 101 not out, and I don't say that lightly — while Joe Millen (28) and Matthew Ward (21) built the platform, their fourth-wicket stand of 62 the difference between a nervy finish and a canter. We got home in 42.1 overs with four wickets to spare, and I don't mind admitting I enjoyed watching more than captaining.

Elsewhere, Will Thew continues his quiet accumulation up to third in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts, and Jon Harris sits proudly atop the wicket-takers with 17. A fine win, then, built on Austin's brilliance and a bowling attack that refused to be bullied. Onwards indeed.

Sun 14 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformWWWWW

The toss fell my way at Benenden, and with barely a moment's thought I stuck us in the field — a decision that, for once, looked shrewd rather than reckless. Benenden ground their way to 176 all out in exactly 39.5 overs, built chiefly around James Eady's well-crafted 72, with useful support from Neal Metcalf (25) and Patrick Coyne (21). Charlie Sorensen and Samuel Martin went early and cheaply, ducks both, which rather set the tone. I found some rhythm with the ball that afternoon, spinning through their order for 5-22, while Michael Beeney chipped in a tidy 2-34 and Iain Rawson was parsimony itself — 1-28 including two maidens.

Chasing 177, we made harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might, reaching 179/6 from 33.2 overs. Will Thirkell played the innings of the day with a classy 75, ably supported by Mark Christmas (28) and Tim Wright (20), the two of them putting on a crucial 58 for the fourth wicket to steady things when it mattered.

We eventually got over the line by four wickets — scrappier than the scoreline perhaps deserved, but a win is a win. Mark Christmas continues to top our Sunday run charts for the season with 295, and I'm rather chuffed to say the wickets column now reads 20 in my favour. A good day for the club, and a long drive home made all the sweeter for it.

Sat 13 Aug 2011 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformLWLWL

Here's the match report:

Toss lost, and they put us in — which on a good Milstead deck felt like a favour we'd be made to pay back later. As it turned out, we made them work for it. David Castle played the innings of the day, a well-crafted 92 that anchored everything, with Will Thirkell unbeaten on 32 and Harry Bee weighing in with 31 either side of him. We lost the first wicket for next to nothing, so credit to the middle order for the 66-run third-wicket stand that dragged us back onto solid ground. 227/5 from our 45 overs was a total to be proud of — though the less said about Craig Sands's golden duck, the better; the ledger doesn't forget, and neither do the lads.

Defending it should have been enough. It wasn't. S Puttu played the innings that beat us, an unbeaten 79 that just kept the required rate ticking over, well supported by Richard Cusworth's fifty and 40 from S Arnold. Matthew Carter did everything asked of him and more, 2-38 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, and I chipped in with 2-39 alongside Harry Bee's 1-35 — we had them under pressure, we just couldn't quite finish the job. Ben Ryder went for a duck at our hands, small consolation. They got there by five wickets, 229/5 in the 42nd. Not our day. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sat 13 Aug 2011 🧢 2nd XIv GC Great Chart CC · HomeformWDLLL

Saturday 13 August 2011, and Great Chart CC came to Linton for what turned out to be a proper old-fashioned tussle. I lost the toss and they sent us in, which is never quite the news you want, but the lads set about repairing my morale in the middle. We rattled along to 197/7 from our 42 overs, the innings built around a sturdy 71-run stand for the fifth wicket. Jack Gwynn (34) and Will Thew (32) both played their part, but it was a pleasure to lead from the front with an unbeaten 66 — the sort of innings that makes the drive home feel a good deal shorter.

Defending it, we knew Great Chart only had to bat sensibly, and their openers duly obliged, putting on 97 before we prised the first one out. Ben Moyle went on to an unbeaten 89 and rather had the last laugh. I did manage 1-16 with the ball, Thomas Beeney chipped in with 1-21, and Ian Hollingworth bowled two maidens that must have felt like shouting into the wind. Poor Will Thew, having batted so nicely, then had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, with 20 byes disappearing past him — the sort of thing we'll rib him about for weeks.

Special mention, and a proper club moment, for Iain Rawson bringing up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark earned, not given.

In the end neither side could force it: a draw, honours shared, and frankly a fair result for an afternoon of good, honest cricket.

Sun 07 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · HomeformLWWWL

Sunday 7 August 2011, and New Ifield CC rolled up looking rather too pleased with themselves. I won the toss and stuck us in the field first — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook now suggests.

It started promisingly enough: 6 for 1 had me quietly congratulating myself. Then Lyle Wheeler decided he fancied an unbeaten century, and Nick Bodle chipped in with 28 as the pair put on 101 for the second wicket while we stood about admiring the scenery. New Ifield closed on 182 for 4. Credit where due — Joshua Knowler was excellent, 2 for 32, and Tim Wright bowled with real discipline, 2 for 37 including three maidens, and along the way brought up his hundredth career wicket, a landmark worth raising a glass to.

With 183 to chase, Lewis Burnham played the innings of the day, 45 well-made runs anchoring things alongside a useful third-wicket stand of 50. I managed 17 myself, keeping busy behind the stumps too, though nine byes down the leg side won't feature in my highlights reel. Poor Paul Ratcliffe's duck was the one real blot on an otherwise honest effort. We fell away to 138 for 9, 44 runs short in the end.

Small mercies: Burnham's now second in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Knowler third among the wicket-takers, so the season's shape is not without promise. A defeat, but an instructive one — we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 07 Aug 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWWWW

Sunday 7 August found us on the road to The Mote, and losing the toss meant we were straight into the field – never my favourite way to start a Sunday, but there we are. They batted sensibly rather than spectacularly, ambling to 175/8 from their 48 overs, with Laurence Waters top-scoring on 43 and Chris Feltham chipping in 25. I managed to find some rhythm with the new ball and finished with 4-33, with Michael Beeney (3-43) and Will Thirkell (1-19) mopping up nicely, while Sam Boyns bowled with real discipline, three maidens and barely a boundary given away cheaply. Mark Bristow, alas, departed without troubling the scorers – these things happen to the best of us.

A target of 176 looked eminently gettable, and so it proved. Jordan Austin played the innings of the season, a magnificent unbeaten hundred that anchored the chase from the very first over, adding 74 for the first wicket before anyone else got a look in. Mark Christmas (27) and Richard Piper (20) played their supporting roles with sensible good sense, and we cantered home by 8 wickets with overs to spare – 176/2 in 31.2 overs, job done well before the tea urn had properly cooled.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon all round: Richard continues to lead our Sunday run charts with 291 for the season, and I'm rather chuffed to sit atop the wicket-takers with 15. As verdicts go, this one writes itself – professional in the field, ruthless with the bat, and home in good time for a pint. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 06 Aug 2011 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWLWLW

Saturday took us down to Meopham, and after losing the toss I had no choice but to lead us into the field first — never my favourite start to a Saturday, but there we are. Batting first ourselves would come later, and when it did, Will Thirkell played the innings of the day, a fine half-century of 60 carrying us along nicely with good support from Richard Knowler's 43. We limped home to 161/9 from our 45 overs — respectable rather than commanding. Special mention, if that's the word, for poor Daniel Thirkell, who took the long walk back for nought and duly joined the Duck Club ledger.

With the ball, things looked promising as we prised out early wickets — David Pollard, Adam Orridge and Richard Boot all departing without troubling the scorers. I can't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with my own afternoon's work, four wickets for 30 and four maidens to boot, with Daniel Thirkell chipping in nicely at 3-25 and Sam Boyns picking up one. But Adam Roxburgh had other ideas, an unbeaten 86 steering Meopham home with Mark Burton's 47 alongside him, and they squeaked past us on 162/8 with two wickets to spare.

There was a proper silver lining, mind — Will Thirkell brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result. Beaten by two wickets, then, but not disgraced. We'll be sharper next week.

Tue 02 Aug 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDLLDD

Lost the toss on a warm Tuesday and duly sent out to field first against Bexley — never my favourite instruction, but there it is. Michael Ladbrook made an absolute mockery of our bowling figures, carving out a magnificent unbeaten 105, and found a willing partner in Murtaza Abbas, who eased past his own fifty to finish 75 not out. Richie Barclay chipped in with 22, and between them Bexley cantered to 228/3 from their 34 overs. Small mercies: Jason Benn departed for a duck, and Matthew Carter bowled beautifully for 2-21 with two maidens to show for his discipline, well supported by Iain Rawson's 1-50 — a spell that, almost incidentally, took Rawson's career wickets past the 200 mark. One for the mantelpiece indeed.

Chasing 229 is no stroll, but Tim Wright and Will Thirkell gave us the platform of dreams, putting on 98 for the first wicket before either fell — the kind of start that makes a captain feel briefly, gloriously in control. Wright made a well-crafted 58, Thirkell 56, and Will Thew's 39 kept the innings ticking, but 214/7 from our 44 overs left us agonisingly short of the finish line.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride largely intact. Thirkell leads our Midweek run charts on 137 for the season, Carter tops the wickets with five, and Bexley go home knowing they had the better of a match we refused, stubbornly, to lose.

Sun 31 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformDWWWW

From the captain's chair: I lost the toss, Mersham Sports CC elected to field, and off we went. Richard Piper played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 70 that anchored everything around him, with Will Thirkell chipping in a brisk 37. I settled in myself for an unbeaten 24, while poor Glen Rawson departed for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and clearly he wasn't feeling flush that afternoon. The extras column, ever reliable, added a stout 42, and we closed on a healthy 213 for 7 from our 40 overs — a total that felt like it might just be enough.

So it proved. Mersham fought hard, Craig Calvert leading their reply with 40, well supported by Balaj Bareckzi's 38 and Mark Gill's 25, but Thomas Beeney was in irresistible form, tearing through them with 4 for 21, including two miserly maidens for good measure. I managed to pitch in with the ball too, taking 2 for 3, with Ray Dixon mopping up two more for 43. Jonathan Fearne joined the duck club at our hands, and the innings folded for 170 in 37.4 overs.

We got over the line by 43 runs — a fine team performance from top to tail. Richard Piper continues to lead our 2011 Sunday run charts with 271, and Mark Christmas sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 12. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 31 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv High Halstow CC · AwayformLLWWW

Captain's Log — Sunday 31 July 2011

We travelled to High Halstow CC in fine spirits, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in sticking them in – a decision that looked shrewd for about as long as it takes to make a cup of tea. Chris Lally and Ashley Trigg both raised fifties, Adam Colegate chipped in with 42, and a rollicking 75-run third-wicket stand had us chasing leather all afternoon before they finally folded for 259, subsiding from 250-7 to all out with a bit of late-innings panic. Joshua Knowler was the pick of the attack with 3-59, Sam Boyns weighed in with 2-32, and I managed 2-50 myself for a bit of consolation among the carnage – and at least Aaron Robertson departed for a duck, so somebody had a worse day with the bat than I was about to have.

In reply, Trevor Back's 37 and useful contributions from Chris Newman and Will Thew kept us in the hunt, with a handy second-wicket stand of 62 the highlight before wickets clattered from 108-2 to 122-5 in alarming fashion. We were grateful for 46 extras, which frankly did more for the scorecard than I did – my own innings amounted to a golden duck, the least said about which the better. Lewis Burnham had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 12 byes going begging, though he can console himself with second place in the season's run charts.

Beaten by 52 runs in the end. Not our day – heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 30 Jul 2011 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWWLWL

As we won the toss and I put Sheldwich in, it looked a canny call before a ball had even been bowled – and by tea I was rather pleased with myself, which as regulars will know never lasts.

With bat in hand we made a proper afternoon of it. The openers gave us the platform we always ask for and rarely get, 66 for the first wicket, before Daniel Thirkell and Craig Sands put on a magnificent 137 for the third. Thirkell finished unbeaten on a superb 84, Sands made a beautifully paced 78 – and, in among all that, brought up 11,000 career runs for the club, which is the sort of number that makes the rest of us look at our own scorebooks and quietly say nothing. Richard Piper chipped in a handy 35, and 255 for 3 from our 45 overs felt like a total worth defending.

Sheldwich never quite found their rhythm chasing it. An early wobble at 3 for 1 set the tone, and though James Creed batted nicely for 64 and found support from Nick Collins (29) and Matt Hammond (23), the required rate stayed a stride ahead of them throughout. Sam Boyns did the real damage with 2 for 37, the Knowler brothers chipped in a wicket apiece, Martin Mills went for a golden duck, and I was happy enough with three maidens to my name without troubling the scorers unduly.

A fine win by 86 runs, then, and a reminder that patience with the bat and discipline with the ball still win matches in this league. Onwards.

Sat 30 Jul 2011 🧢 2nd XIv LC Luddesdowne CC · AwayformWWDLL

Saturday 30 July 2011, and off we trundled to Luddesdowne CC with the sun more or less behaving itself. I called correctly at the toss — small mercies — and had no hesitation in batting first, reckoning a good total on a good pitch beats hoping for miracles in the field.

And what a total it proved. Will Thew played the innings of the season, carrying his bat to a majestic hundred, with Tim Wright giving splendid support with 70 of his own. Between them they hauled us to 224 for 5 off our forty overs, a score I'd have signed for in blood at breakfast. Runs on the board, feet up, tea and sympathy — what could possibly go wrong.

Quite a lot, as it turned out. Doug Lewis decided he rather fancied batting all afternoon and finished unbeaten on 87, with Sean Eastwood (37) and Bob Stiddard (29) chipping in around him while we huffed and puffed in the field. Thomas Beeney did his level best to drag us back into it, three maidens and 2 for 32 of pure discipline, and I managed to grab a wicket myself for 19 runs, with Michael Beeney also among the wickets. Roger Millgate and David Mayne, at least, went back without troubling the scorers — small crumbs of comfort. But Luddesdowne got home with four wickets in hand off 39.4 overs.

Not our day, then. A fine batting effort undone by a fine batting reply — heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Wed 27 Jul 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv IX Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI · HomeformLDLLD

Winning the toss on a bright Wednesday evening at home, I had no hesitation in sending the opposition in — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody accused me of it. They ground their way to 206 for 7 from their 49.5 overs, J Rusby top-scoring with a fine 80, well supported by D Cameron's equally handsome 60 and S Connelly's brisk 28. We struck early — 0 for 1 had the tea urn practically boiling over with optimism — before a stubborn 99-run stand for the third wicket threatened to drag the game away from us. To our credit, we hauled it back sharply, turning 200 for 4 into 206 for 7 in the blink of an eye, and sending L Rayner back for a golden duck without so much as troubling the scorers. Martin Harris led the attack superbly with 3 for 34, with useful support from Tim Wright (2 for 19) and the ever-parsimonious Iain Rawson, whose 1 for 5 and three maidens suggested the ball was on a lead.

In reply, Will Thirkell played beautifully for 81, ably backed by Trevor Back's unbeaten 48 and Tim Wright's 25, the pair sharing a commanding 112 for the fifth wicket. Spare a sympathetic thought for poor Craig Sands, who bagged the season's obligatory nought. We closed on 191 for 5 from our 39 overs. Trevor Back now tops our 2011 run charts with 103, and Martin Harris sits third among the wickets with 3. Honours shared, then — a draw, and no bad way to spend a Wednesday.

Sun 24 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Hawkinge CC · AwayformLLLWW

Sunday 24 July found us on the road at Hawkinge, and having called correctly for once, I didn't need long to make up my mind — we bowled first.

It looked a shrewd move early on when we had them 7 for 1, but Hawkinge steadied themselves and posted a competitive 154 for 9 off their forty overs, Shaid Rajput's 46 the backbone of it, with useful support from Andy Brooks and Rob Tibbles, both 23. A seventh-wicket stand of 51 threatened to take the game away from us, but the tail offered little resistance thereafter, Nathan Finnis and Jason Roberts departing without scoring. The story of the innings, though, was Sam Boyns, whose 5 for 13 was as fine a spell as you'll see on a Sunday afternoon — Martin Harris and Chris Newman chipping in with two and one respectively to leave Hawkinge short of a match-winning total.

Chasing 155, we made harder work of it than the target perhaps deserved. Lewis Burnham's 30 and Joshua Knowler's 21 gave us something to build on, though Chris Newman and Adam Wright both departed for ducks, and it took a generous 35 extras to keep the scoreboard ticking along nicely at our expense as much as theirs. I contributed my own small hand along the way, but it was very much a team effort that got us home.

We scraped over the line by two wickets, 158 for 8, with hearts in mouths rather more than the margin suggests. Untidy, occasionally alarming, but a win is a win — and on the road at that. A good day for the club.

Sun 24 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Bells Yew Green CC · AwayformDDWWW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 24 July 2011. We were away at Bells Yew Green, and having called correctly for once in my life, I stuck them in, fancying our chances under cloud cover and my own tactical genius. Whether that genius held up is, as ever, a matter for debate. They rattled up 237/6 from their 41 overs, built chiefly around a proper innings from Finn Hulbert — 119, and not a run of it stolen — with Jorge Ehren (33) and Julian Ehren (20 not out) chipping in either side of a watchful 98-run stand. Their last pair then had the cheek to bolt on 37 we could have done without, though Ben Dunkerley at least fell for nought at our hands. Thomas Beeney was excellent up front, 3-47, with Mark Christmas and Benjamin Austin chiselling out a wicket apiece.

Chasing 238, we made hard work of easy work, as is tradition. Zero for one inside the first over set pulses racing before Craig Sands (74) and Jordan Austin (71) — both well past their fifties — put together a commanding 91 for the fourth wicket to drag us back into it, Laurie Probert adding a tidy 38. Then, entirely on cue, the wheels came off spectacularly: 218-5 became 228-8 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea, with Richard Piper, Benjamin Austin and Thomas Beeney all failing to trouble the scorers.

We stumbled, wobbled, and somehow scrambled home by two wickets. Not pretty, England — but a win's a win, and I'll take it gladly.

Sat 23 Jul 2011 🧢 2nd XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformLWWDL

Lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to suspect the coin has it in for me — and Cobham CC of Kent duly elected to bat, leaving us to toil away under a Kent sky that couldn't quite decide what it was doing either. They ground their way to 190/8 from their 45 overs, propelled chiefly by Simon Waters, who sailed past his fifty to finish on 59 and looked thoroughly pleased with himself about it. Credit where due, though: Michael Beeney was superb with the ball, snaring 3-30 including three maidens — not a run given away lightly — with Joe Martin (2-16) and Iain Rawson (1-26) chipping in nicely, and Kieron Clifton back in the pavilion for a duck.

Chasing 191, we never quite got going. Chris Newman's 25 was the innings' backbone, with Tim Wright's 20 offering sturdy support, but wickets tumbled around them and we were all out for 122 in 38.2 overs. Poor Iain Rawson, so miserly with the ball, endured the walk of shame for a golden duck with the bat — cricket's little cruelties. Behind the stumps I had a torrid afternoon of my own, shipping ten byes that I'd rather forget, though I'm consoled slightly by sitting second in the 2nd XI's season run charts on 307.

Beaten by 68 runs, then, and no arguing with the scoreboard. We'll dust ourselves down, have a stern word with the coin, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 23 Jul 2011 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWWWLW

Batting steadily to 149 for 6, we then contrived to lose four wickets for six runs, with Daniel Thirkell, Craig Sands and Richard Knowler all serving up ducks in the collapse. I was pleased enough with my own 49, and Glen Rawson's 39 and Richard Piper's 23 gave the innings some backbone, their stand of 66 for the sixth wicket being the one passage of play we can genuinely be proud of. All told, 159 for 9 from our 45 overs felt about forty runs light of a defendable total, and so it proved.

Staplehurst made the chase look thoroughly unhurried. Tom Davey played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 68, well supported by Alexander Holmes' unbeaten 43 and a brisk 22 from G Hubbard, and between them they wrapped things up with more than two overs to spare. Matthew Carter did what he could with the ball, snapping up 2 for 16, and Will Thirkell chipped in with a wicket for his 50, but with the total we'd set them, it was always going to be a case of damage limitation rather than a real contest.

So, seven wickets the wrong way at Staplehurst, and a middle-order stumble that undid a promising start. Glen Rawson continues to top the run charts for the season with 410, and Matthew Carter sits second among the wicket-takers with 19 — small consolations on a day that got away from us. Heads up, then, and back to the nets: there's a collapse to iron out before we're next asked to bat first.

Wed 13 Jul 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformLLDLL

We drew the toss on Wednesday 13 July and, in a fit of tactical boldness that felt sound at tea and questionable by close, I stuck Dummy Site in. They made themselves quite at home, racking up 215/7 from their 44 overs on the back of a chunky 99-run fourth-wicket stand between J Pope (62) and A Mills (61), with J Lavers chipping in 29 for good measure. Credit where due: Chris Newman was superb with the ball, 3-30, backed up nicely by Matthew Carter's 2-51, Nigel Thirkell's solitary but tidy wicket, and Iain Rawson tying the visitors down with a couple of maidens.

Chasing 216 was always going to ask questions of us, and losing an early wicket with just 7 on the board didn't calm any nerves. Nigel Thirkell, showing rather more with the bat than the ball this time, top-scored with 34, well supported by Ryan Boyns (30) and Thomas Beeney (22), but 169/9 from our 44 overs left us short of the target. Poor Trevor Back had an afternoon of it behind the stumps, 19 byes conceded, and as for the skipper — a golden blob. Captains are meant to lead by example; I led, alas, by cautionary tale.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride mostly intact. With Thomas Beeney 2nd in the season's run charts and Matthew Carter topping the wickets, the engine room is purring even if the captain's bat is currently ornamental. All told, a fair result for a scrappy day: nobody won, nobody lost, and everybody had a story for the bar afterwards.

Sun 10 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Stone-in-Oxney CC · AwayformWLLLW

From the captain's chair, we made the trip down to Stone-in-Oxney on a fine Sunday, and having called correctly at the toss, there was never any doubt I'd stick us in to bat.

We didn't get off to the smoothest of starts — a wicket down before a run troubled the scoreboard — but Glen Rawson had other ideas, playing an innings of real substance to bring up a magnificent century, 124 in all, with Trevor Back chipping in a handy 29 alongside him in a stand of 79 for the second wicket that steadied the ship. Not every name will be in lights this week — Adam Wright and Will Thew will be nursing matching ducks — but 211 for 5 from our 40 overs was a total to be rather proud of.

Defending it, Stone-in-Oxney gave us a fright through their openers, who put on 99 before the breakthrough finally came, and Ben Price's well-made fifty of 59 and Gary Woollett's 58 kept them in the hunt, with Tevis Knight senior unbeaten on 35. But once we prised that opening stand apart we ran through the tail in a hurry, from 179 for 7 to all out for 188, with Maurice Norton, Andrew Wilson and Andy Boorman all departing without scoring. Tim Wright was pick of the attack with 2 for 20, well supported by Chris Newman's 2 for 32 and Martin Harris's 1 for 22.

A fine win by 23 runs, then — and with Glen Rawson now leading our Sunday run charts on 280 and myself handily placed atop the wicket-takers with 13, this looks rather like being a good season. Onwards.

Sun 10 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Beckenham CC · HomeformWDDWW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 10 July 2011, and Beckenham CC rolled into Linton Park under obliging skies. Winning what passes for a coin toss in these parts, I put us into the field, and for a while it looked the sort of decision one regrets over tea. Bobby Harris (44) and Clive Tyrrell (40) got themselves in and looked disappointingly comfortable about it, steering the visitors to 161/8 from their 48 overs. Thankfully Mark Christmas had other ideas, prising out three for a miserly 20 and bowling four maidens that must have felt like a personal insult to the Beckenham middle order. Will Thirkell and Sam Boyns chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep things honest.

Chasing 162, we made rather harder work of it than the target deserved, though Mark Christmas — clearly not content with his bowling heroics — carried his bat to 52 not out, and Daniel Thirkell's 45 and Richard Piper's 32 gave the innings some backbone. Young James Piper, alas, will not be troubling the scorers this week, departing for a duck that even he would admit was entirely golden.

Behind the stumps Ryan Boyns had a torrid afternoon of it, eight byes slipping through like the club's tea urn on a bad day. But no matter — we got home by five wickets, two points safely banked, and Mark Christmas's season continues to sparkle. A scrappy win, but a win all the same, and I'll take those every Sunday going.

Sat 09 Jul 2011 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWLWWD

Beaten by four wickets at Shipbourne, and I can't say we didn't have a hand in it ourselves. Put in to bat after losing the toss, we were bowled out for 141 in 41.3 overs — I ground out 38 at the top of the order, Will Thew chipped in a handy 20, and poor Ian Hollingworth departed for a golden duck, the sort of dismissal that makes the long walk back feel considerably longer than the walk out.

With the ball we started brightly and then, in true club cricket fashion, contrived to make hard work of it. Shipbourne slipped to 1-1 and we had them there for the taking, but Andrew Gillam had other ideas, cruising to 81 not out, well supported by Sam Webster's unbeaten 24. Ian Hollingworth atoned handsomely for his duck with 3-34, Iain Rawson bowled a miserly spell for 1-23 including four maidens, and Joe Martin picked up 1-28. We even managed to send Nick Tyler back for a duck of his own. But it was that final pair, adding an infuriating 87 unbroken, who did for us — the sort of last-wicket stand that has grown men muttering into their tea.

They got there by four wickets in the end, and honestly, fair play to them. We gave away too many at the death and 141 was never quite enough to defend. Iain Cardew and Iain Rawson continue to lead the run and wicket charts respectively, so the season's in good order even if Saturday wasn't. We'll regroup, we'll bowl straighter at the tail, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 09 Jul 2011 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWWWWL

Called it right for once — heads, and no hesitation in sticking Shipbourne in. It looked a masterstroke early doors when we had them 2 for 1, though as so often happens in this maddening game, the tail of that top order wagged just enough to keep us honest. George Willis dug in for an unbeaten 42 and dragged Shipbourne to a respectable-looking 111 for 8 off their 45. Credit where it's due: Richard Knowler was magnificent, ripping through with 4 for 23, and he had good company — Sam Boyns tidy with 1 for 12, and I managed to chip in myself with 1 for 16. Matthew Carter, meanwhile, bowled as if run-scoring were a personal insult, sending down three maidens without so much as a raised eyebrow.

Chasing 112, we made a meal of it in the way only this club truly can. Mark Fenton and Chris Raveney both walked back without troubling the scorers, and poor Harry Bee joined them on the golden-duck honours board — three ducks in a match takes some doing. Thankfully Daniel Thirkell kept his head when all about him were losing theirs, carrying his bat to 37 not out and steering us home at 114 for 6 with half an over to spare.

Elsewhere in the season, Glen Rawson continues to bat like a man possessed, 371 runs and counting, while Knowler's wicket haul now stands at a frankly greedy 19.

Scrappy, occasionally comic, but two points is two points. A win's a win, and I'll take it gladly.

Sun 03 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LR Lord Raglan · HomeformWWLLL

Lost the toss on Sunday and watched Lord Raglan elect to bat, which on paper felt like handing us the harder end of the stick. As it turned out, they did rather more damage to themselves than we ever managed to. Wickets tumbled from the off, a single run on the board when the first fell, and by the time they'd slipped to 6-4 the tea urn was practically on before lunch. Hutchinson's 22 and C Bonney's 20 were about the only things standing between them and total collapse, and Dan Barkaway made sure there wasn't much more resistance than that, tearing through with a magnificent 6-6 off four maidens — bowling of the sort that makes the rest of us look faintly decorative. I picked up 1-4 to chip in, Tim Wright weighed in with 1-11, and R Hancox, P Crafter and S Bonney all departed without so much as a single to their name. All out for 92 in 34.5 overs — generous of them, really.

Chasing that down should have been a formality, and while it wasn't entirely straightforward, we got there with wickets and overs to spare. Adam Wright's 35 and Trevor Back's 30 did the heavy lifting, though Jamie Ratcliffe's golden duck kept the Duck Club ledger ticking over nicely. We closed on 97-4 from 23.5 overs.

A comfortable six-wicket win, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 03 Jul 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv KC Knockholt CC · AwayformLWDDW

Sunday 3rd July, away at Knockholt, and I lost the toss again — my coin-calling form remains, sadly, the one statistic that never improves. They put us in, which suited us rather better than it suited them.

Mark Christmas played the innings of a lifetime in miniature, 67 not out and still there at the close, while Laurie Probert kept him company with an unbeaten 46 of his own. Ray Dixon chipped in with 20, and the extras column swelled by a generous 29 — Knockholt's bowlers seemingly as keen to donate to our cause as we were to accept. We closed on 193 for 4 from our 42 overs, a total that felt every bit as imposing as it sounds.

Defending it, I took the new ball myself and managed 2 for 0, which I mention only the once and with the minimum of fuss expected of a captain who knows better than to dwell on it. Ray Dixon (2-1) and Iain Rawson (2-4, including two tidy maidens) squeezed the innings from both ends, and three Knockholt batsmen — Tony Fenn, Struan Rae and Simon Tanner — never troubled the scorers at all. Mark Reay's gutsy 33 and Rory Tanner's 24 were the only real resistance before the innings folded for 84 in 30.2 overs.

A win by 109 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying Sunday for the run charts and wicket charts alike. Onwards indeed.

Sat 02 Jul 2011 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWWWWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 2 July 2011. We travelled to Headcorn CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat. Batting first is always the captain's easiest decision and his hardest to defend by teatime.

It rather looked shaky early doors — 7-1 had the pavilion clearing its throat nervously — but Daniel Thirkell settled in for the long haul and simply refused to get out, carrying his bat to a superb unbeaten hundred. The tail wagged nicely too, a final 38 runs proving thoroughly irritating to a Headcorn attack who thought they'd seen the back of us, and we closed on a respectable 162/7 from our 45 overs. Less respectable was Richard Knowler's contribution to proceedings — a golden duck and, regrettably, another entry in the club's ledger of shame.

In the field, 162 never felt quite enough, and so it proved. Paul Putland played the anchor role to perfection, ending 84 not out, while Kevin Richardson (36 not out) and Andre Hatton (30) offered sturdy support around him. A brisk 61-run opening stand set the tone before we so much as got a sniff. Will Thirkell toiled manfully for his solitary wicket, and Matthew Carter chipped in with a wicket and two tidy maidens, but Headcorn cantered home on 166/2 with overs to spare.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Daniel Thirkell's hundred was reward enough for one afternoon — the rest of us will simply have to be better next week.

Sun 26 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformWWWLL

Lost the toss on Sunday and duly found myself leading the lads out into the field first — never my favourite start to a Sunday, but there we are. Harrietsham made themselves quite at home, cruising to 177 for 6 from their forty overs. John Whiskin was the chief architect with a well-made 64, and he had capable company in Bijoy Puthoor (37) and Keith Hutchinson, unbeaten on 33, the pair adding a stubborn 55 for the second wicket that really set the platform. Sam Boyns did the most damage with the ball, 2 for 33, and I chipped in with 2 for 35 alongside Tim Thirkell's tidy 1 for 32, but it wasn't quite enough to keep the total in check.

Chasing 178 was always going to ask questions of our batting, and Harrietsham's bowlers had most of the good answers. We limped to 106 for 6 from our forty, with Lewis Burnham the one man to really get after it, his 30 the best of a modest bunch.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Will Thew continues to churn out runs, sitting second in the Sunday 2nd XI charts with 133, while I find myself, somewhat improbably, topping the wicket-takers with 11.

Beaten by 71 runs in the end — no hiding from that one. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sun 26 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Knockers CC · AwayformWLWDD

Sunday 26 June found us on the road to Knockers CC, and for once I called the coin correctly and stuck them in — a decision that, remarkably, I shall not have to explain away this week.

The lads repaid the faith handsomely. Knockers were bowled out for a modest 112 in 30.1 overs, Stuart Seldon's 23 the only real resistance before the innings folded in on itself, 50 for 2 becoming 57 for 5 in the blink of an eye, with Geoff Smith and D Marsh both back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their name. I took the new ball and helped myself to 2 for 4, while Michael Beeney (2-16) and Thomas Beeney (2-18) mopped up either end — a proper team effort with the cherry.

Chasing 113 for the win, we made a mess of it look easy. Warren Jackson led the way with 36, Will Thirkell chipping in nicely with 33, and the openers put on 76 together before the first wicket fell — the sort of platform that lets the rest of us relax with our tea and biscuits. Only Thomas Beeney had a day to forget with the bat, out for a duck having done all the hard work with the ball. We got home by 5 wickets with overs to spare, 113 for 4 in 34.4.

A fine all-round performance, and a nudge up the record books too — Matthew Carter's brace edged him past Terry Donovan into 20th on the club's all-time wicket list. Onwards we go.

Sat 25 Jun 2011 🧢 1st XIv East Sutton CC · HomeformWWWWW

Home side scrape past East Sutton in low-scoring tussle at Linton Park

A Saturday of modest totals but plenty of heart at Linton Park, as we welcomed East Sutton CC and, against the run of early jitters, came away with the points and no little pride.

Put into the field, we found early joy hard to come by against the bat of Nathan Harvey, whose 46 threatened to give the visitors something to defend. But patience — and rather more than that from Thomas Beeney, whose 4-4 will have East Sutton's top order wincing for weeks yet — saw them folded for 112 in 35.5 overs. Will Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 3-15, Richard Knowler took 1-9 to add to a season that already has him leading our 2011 wicket charts with 15, and honourable mention must go to whichever unseen hand kept the scorebook so tidy for East Sutton, since Mark Whitmill, Chris Skingley and Chris Burton were sent packing without so much as a nibble.

Chasing 113, David Castle and Daniel Thirkell set about the target with an opening stand of 53 that took the sting out of the afternoon, Thirkell (23) playing the perfect foil before Castle sailed serenely on to an unbeaten 70 — his half-century the platform for an eight-wicket win with overs to spare. Thirkell's efforts nudge him to third in our run charts with 185 for the summer. Castle's day behind the stumps was rather less serene, mind — eight byes escaping his gloves suggests his concentration was saving itself for the bat.

Two points, eight wickets, and a scorebook East Sutton will want to forget in a hurry. We'll take it.

Sun 19 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday, 19 June 2011, and it fell to me to make the big call at the toss: heads or tails, field or bat. I chose to field first against Bidborough CC, and for once I'll allow myself a small pat on the back — the right call, I felt, even if the scoreboard rather laughed in my face by the end of the day.

Bidborough made themselves nicely at home, closing on 187/7 from their forty overs, built chiefly around Matt Young's fine 69, with useful support from Sam Howes (27) and Charlie Harding (23) and a stubborn 63-run stand for the fourth wicket that we simply couldn't shift. Credit where due: Matthew Carter bowled beautifully for 2-34 with two maidens to show for his discipline, while Harry Bee (2-39) and Sam Boyns (2-55) kept chipping away. Nothing was given away cheaply.

Chasing 188, we made a fair fist of it early on — Stuart Cheesman top-scoring with 27, Matthew Carter chipping in with 24 and Glen Rawson with 22 — before the innings folded like a deckchair in a gust, 94-4 becoming 101-7 in the blink of an eye. All out for 127. Will Thirkell and Thomas Beeney will want their names kept out of the club minutes after both collected ducks.

One bright note: Cheesman's 27 nudged him past Russell Baldwin into 22nd on the all-time run charts — a small mantelpiece moment amid the wreckage.

Beaten by 60 runs, fair and square. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 19 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · AwayformLWWWL

Sunday 19 June saw us make the trek to New Ifield CC, and the toss - inevitably - went against us. Put in to field, we watched Joe Lawrence cruise to 64 and Reju Joy chip in with 42, the pair anchoring a 51-run third-wicket stand that did most of the damage, with David Homewood's 23 rounding out a total of 185/7 from their forty overs. I can't pretend it was all doom and gloom with the ball, though - I managed to strike twice for 21 runs, and got fine support from Iain Rawson (2-29) and Martin Harris (2-36), which at least kept the lads believing.

Chasing 186, Lewis Burnham played a lovely knock of 50, well supported by Will Thew's 23, and a crucial 63-run second-wicket stand had us dreaming. But cricket has a way of humbling you, and from 146-7 the innings unravelled in a rush to 151 all out. The Duck Club ledger took two grim entries - Martin Harris and yours truly both walked back for nought, and I shall draw a discreet veil over my own contribution with the bat.

Still, silver linings: Will Thew now sits second in the 2011 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 123, and I'm rather chuffed to lead the wicket-takers with nine. But the ledger doesn't lie - we went down by 34 runs. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 18 Jun 2011 🧢 2nd XIv BC Betsham CC · HomeformWWLWW

Betsham CC came to Linton Park on Saturday 18 June, and true to form the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they had first use of the pitch and, perhaps sniffing something in the air, sent us in. Whatever they were hoping for, it didn't quite materialise: we posted 86 for 2 off just 16.1 overs, a brisk enough total built largely on the back of Iain Cardew's unbeaten 32, playing with the calm authority of a man who currently sits atop the 2nd XI's 2011 run charts with 356 to his name and clearly has no intention of relinquishing top spot any time soon.

With runs on the board, we turned our attention to defending them, and the bowling and fielding did exactly what was asked — Betsham simply couldn't get going, and the innings closed without troubling the scorers at all. Credit to the lads for keeping the pressure on throughout; there's something quietly satisfying about watching an opposition batting line-up unravel while you barely need to raise your voice from mid-off.

And yet, for all that promise, honours finished shared — a draw, neither side able to force home the advantage. Frustrating in the moment, perhaps, but there's no shame in it: 86 for 2 in 16 overs and a stubborn defence is a fair account of an afternoon's work. A draw it was, then — but very much a draw earned rather than one that simply happened to us.

Sat 18 Jun 2011 🧢 1st XIv BC Betsham CC · AwayformLWWWW

Saturday 18 June 2011 saw us make the trip to Betsham, and the coin, as ever, was no friend of mine — they won it and stuck us in. Not that it did them much good. Our openers set about laying a proper platform, putting on 79 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, and from there Glen Rawson (46) played the anchor role beautifully, with Richard Piper (40) keeping him fine company. I chipped in with 29 down the order, the extras column threw in a generous 25, and we closed on a healthy 173/7 from our 35 overs. Special mention, if that's the word, for Stuart Cheesman, whose walk of shame duck earns him this week's spot in the Duck Club ledger.

With the ball, we were relentless. Betsham never got going, subsiding from 47-2 to 53-5 in the blink of an eye, with only Simon Rasho (28) offering any real resistance. Tom Whiting departed without troubling the scorers for a second Duck Club entry on the day. The real story, though, was Harry Bee, who span his way through the innings for a quite ridiculous 6-5 — genuinely unplayable. Sam Boyns (2-18) and Richard Knowler (1-2) mopped up nicely, and I did my bit with two tidy maidens, as Betsham folded for 64 in 22.3 overs.

A fine day all round, capped by Richard Piper bringing up his 500th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Won by 109 runs: two points thoroughly earned, and a timely reminder of why we love this daft old game.

Wed 15 Jun 2011 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformWLLDL

It was Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC at home, and losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field on a Wednesday evening that promised more than it delivered.

With the bat we did rather well for ourselves: 192/3 from our 38 overs, built on a fine knock from Craig Sands, unbeaten on 63, and given sturdy support by Trevor Back (48) and Thomas Beeney (36). A 67-run stand for the second wicket was the platform, and for a while it looked a total worth defending on a good surface.

It wasn't to be. R Oliver played the innings of the day, a magnificent 106 not out, with Hadleigh Luff (76) at his shoulder for a second-wicket stand of 163 that took the game clean away from us — they got home on 194/2 with three balls in hand. I did what I could with the new ball, picking up 1-3, and Matthew Carter chipped in with 1-28 and two tidy maidens to at least keep the scoring honest for a spell. Small consolation on a heavy afternoon came with the news that I'd passed 2,800 career wickets — a milestone I'll take even in defeat.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no dressing it up: Oliver simply outplayed us. Back to the nets, heads up, and on to the next one.

Sun 12 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv EC Elvington and Tilmanstone Colliery Welfare CC · AwayformWLWWW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 12 June 2011. We travelled to Elvington and Tilmanstone Colliery Welfare CC in good spirits, though those spirits took a bit of a battering before the day was out. The coin, as is tradition, did not favour us, and the home side elected to field, doubtless sniffing something in the air.

What followed was not our finest hour with the bat. We stumbled to 6-1 almost before the tea urn had boiled, and although Iain Rawson dug in for a battling 22 to top-score, the rest of the order rather lost the plot, and we were bowled out for 97 in 39.4 overs. Special mention, as ever, to Trevor Back, whose golden duck earns him this month's entry in the Duck Club ledger — commiserations, Trevor, the walk of shame awaits.

With the ball we fared little better in terms of the result, if not the effort. Andrew McNicholas played a lovely hand of 52 not out, well supported by M Palmer's unbeaten 39, as the visitors cruised to 98-1 in just 19.4 overs. Dan Barkaway was our pick of the bowlers with 1-30, and at least Ned Harper joins the ducks' club, departing without troubling the scorers. Elsewhere, Tim Wright continues his solid season, third in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts, with Barkaway third among the wicket-takers.

Not our day, beaten by nine wickets. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 11 Jun 2011 🧢 2nd XIv LC Lenham CC · AwayformWWWLW

Kevin Presneill here, and I'll admit it — winning the toss and electing to bat felt like the right call before a ball was bowled, and by teatime I was rather pleased with myself for saying so. We put together a healthy 221/7 from our 45 overs, and I'm delighted to report I found some form at the top of the order, crafting a century that I'll be dining out on for weeks. Chris Newman (26) and Glen Rawson (21) gave the innings a proper backbone, the extras column pitched in a generous 39, and poor Richard Knowler will want to forget his golden duck as quickly as possible.

Defending 221 away from home is never a formality, and Lenham didn't make it easy — Alan Barr's well-crafted 66 and Dave Bunch's 48 had us checking our watches more than once. But this is where the Duck Club ledger balanced itself out beautifully: Richard Knowler, still smarting from his own nought, tore in to claim 4-47 and very much had the last laugh. Tim Thirkell (2-31) and Iain Rawson (1-18) chipped away, Ian Hollingworth bowled three tight maidens, and Jack Ambrose departed for a duck of his own without so much as a nibble.

A word on the milestones — bringing up 4,000 career runs for the club on the same afternoon as a century was a lovely coincidence, and one I shan't forget in a hurry. We got home by 47 runs in the end. All told: a proper team performance, a good day for the club, and one I'm rather proud to have captained.

Sat 11 Jun 2011 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLWWW

Following the road-trip diary opening (as given), here's the report:

The road took us to Headcorn CC on Saturday, and having lost the toss I was handed the ball rather than the bat — never my first choice, but there we are. The lads made a fair fist of it in the field, restricting the home side to 117/8 from their 52.1 overs. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of the attack, tidy figures of 2-2, with Ryan Boyns (1-5) and Will Thirkell (1-14) chipping in nicely. I can't claim any wickets myself, but three maidens kept things honest at my end, and with Luke Mangold's 38 and Paul Millen's 29 the only real scoring of note, we always felt we had them in check.

A target of 118 looked eminently gettable, and so it proved. Richard Piper set about it in glorious fashion, an unbeaten 62 that did the heavy lifting, while Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 32 in fine support. The pair put on 81 for the first wicket before either was so much as troubled, and by the time the breakthrough came the game was as good as won. Ryan Boyns did contribute a golden duck to proceedings, though nobody much minded — least of all him, I imagine, given the state of the chase.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly pleasant afternoon's cricket. Onwards to the next one.

Sun 05 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Addington Village CC · HomeformLWLWW

Sunday 5 June saw Addington Village CC roll up to Linton Park, and when I called wrong at the toss they took one look at the covers and elected to bowl. Cheek, really, but we soon showed them the error of their ways. Glen Rawson batted with real class for his unbeaten 53, and with Will Thew chipping in a tidy 38 and Joshua Knowler unbeaten on 30, we posted a handsome 198 for 4 off our thirty overs — helped along, as ever, by a generous 27 extras from the visitors, for which we thank them kindly.

Defending it should have been the tricky part. Mike Clarke had other ideas, striking a fine 62 and putting on 97 with Alex Rolfe (26) for the first wicket, and for a while it looked ominous from the boundary rope. But Joshua Knowler, clearly not content with his morning's batting, turned the screw with 3 for 22, while Tim Thirkell (1-20, two miserly maidens) and Martin Harris (1-43) chipped away until the required rate became a distant memory. Poor Glen had a torrid time behind the stumps, conceding nine byes for his trouble — no doubt the price of a captain's innings taking its toll on the gloves.

A nod, too, to Jon Harris, who brought up 2,800 career wickets — a staggering number that puts the rest of us to shame. We came home by 45 runs, Rawson and Harris still setting the pace atop the season's charts. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 05 Jun 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tyler Hill CC · AwayformDWLWD

Sunday the 5th of June, and the fixture list sent us off to Tyler Hill CC in reasonable spirits and rather fine weather for it. I won the toss and, never one to overthink these things, stuck us in to bat.

It proved a shrewd call, or at least a lucky one. We raced to 79 without loss from our twelve overs, Richard Piper the architect of it all with a composed 49 not out, while Mark Christmas played the perfect foil with 24 not out at the other end. Between them they barely troubled the scorers for a false shot, and I spent much of the innings doing what any good captain does best — standing at the boundary offering unsolicited encouragement.

Then came our turn in the field, and here the tale takes a stranger turn: the opposition were bowled out for precisely nothing. Not a run to their name. I shan't pretend to know quite how one engineers a declaration of that magnitude, but the lads took it in their stride, treating it with the same quiet professionalism as everything else that day.

And yet, for all that, honours were shared — a draw, the game unable to be forced to a conclusion. Richard continues his fine season, now sitting second in the Sunday 1st XI run charts with 169 to his name. A curious afternoon, then: dominant with bat and ball alike, and still no more than a draw to show for it. Cricket, in its infinite wisdom, rarely does the tidy thing.

Sat 04 Jun 2011 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWWWWL

Here's the match report:

It was Marden CC, Kent, who joined us at home on Saturday 4th June, and it was they, not I, who got the better of the coin toss — a losing streak that continues to test my faith in cricketing justice. They elected to bat, and so it was into the field we trooped, hoping the pitch might do some early talking.

And talk it did. Marden were bowled out for a modest 99 in 35 overs, with Richard Thomas top-scoring on 25 and Christopher Watts chipping in with 20, but precious little support beyond that — Chris Bonney and A Backshan both departed without troubling the scorers. Dan Barkaway was the chief destroyer with a superb 3-8, while Iain Rawson (2-14, four maidens of pure miserliness) and Thomas Beeney (2-15) squeezed the life out of the rest of the order. A proper team effort with the ball.

Chasing 100, we strolled home in twenty overs for the loss of a single wicket. Iain Cardew led the way with an unbeaten 49, elegantly supported by Tim Wright's 30 not out — though spare a thought for poor Lewis Burnham, who made the long walk back for nought. Cardew continues to top the 2nd XI run charts this season with 324, and Rawson the wicket-takers with 11.

Nine wickets and no great alarms. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one I shall enjoy writing up rather more than most.

Sat 04 Jun 2011 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformWWLWW

A losing toss on a Saturday at Marden can feel like a portent, but as it turned out we didn't need the coin's blessing. Put into the field, we did the disciplined thing and squeezed Marden out for 122 in 34.4 overs, Alex Newport's 61 aside — a lone bright spot for the home side amid some proper bowling from us. Richard Knowler was magnificent, tearing through with 3-9 including two miserly maidens, and I was glad to chip in with 2-13 in support, with Matthew Carter's 2-31 rounding things off nicely. Tony Mortimer and Harry Karim went home without troubling the scorers, but with figures like ours it hardly mattered.

Chasing 123, we lost an early wicket with just 2 on the board and I'll admit the nerves jangled briefly in the pavilion — Richard Piper and Harry Bee both fell without scoring. But it settled from there, and I found some form at just the right moment, finishing 70 not out for a personal contribution I was thoroughly satisfied with, well supported by Stuart Cheesman's unbeaten 37 as we brought it home in 31.1 overs. Thirteen byes suggested poor Craig Sands had a testing afternoon behind the stumps, but nobody was complaining.

A rather special day personally too, reaching 4,000 career runs for the club, while Matthew Carter's two wickets nudged him up to 21st on our all-time list. A fine win by six wickets, and the season charts keep ticking along nicely. Onwards.

Sun 29 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Stockbury CC · HomeformLLWLW

Sunday, 29 May, and the toss fell kindly – I called correctly and, with a good drying pitch and no clouds to fear, there was really only one decision to make. We batted.

204 for 7 from our 40 overs was a thoroughly satisfying total, built on a flying start of 69 for the first wicket before Stockbury found a way through. Iain Rawson led the way with 40, with Will Thew (39) and Lewis Burnham (37) all playing their part in a proper team effort. Special mention, as ever, for the Duck Club: Joshua Knowler took the long walk back for nought, and will no doubt be reminded of it at the bar. Credit too to the Stockbury bowlers for gifting us a generous 49 in extras – not a technique I'd recommend, but we weren't complaining.

With the ball, it was our turn to make life difficult. Stockbury's O Radcliffe batted well for his 44, and their openers put on 53, but wickets fell steadily around him and they were all out for 120 in the 30th over. I was delighted to chip in with 2 for 8 myself, with Dan Barkaway (2-18) also among the wickets, but the star turn was Martin Harris with 3 for 40. Joshua Knowler made amends for his duck with two tidy maidens, and Josh Cosgrove and M Collins joined Stockbury's own duck club.

An 84-run victory, two points banked, and a very pleasant Sunday afternoon's work.

Sun 29 May 2011 🧢 Sunday NVKCv LC Limpsfield Chart CC · AwayformWWLWL

On a fine Sunday down at Limpsfield Chart, I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat first. It proved the right call. Glen Rawson and the openers gave us the platform we needed, ninety-three runs added before the first wicket fell, and Rawson went on to a fine 78. Richard Piper chipped in handsomely with a well-made fifty of his own, Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 30, and we posted a formidable 242 for 7 from our forty overs. My own contribution, alas, was a golden duck — the sort of dismissal one simply has to laugh off and quietly forget by teatime.

Whatever gremlins possessed my batting clearly didn't trouble the rest of the side once we took the field. The Chart's innings never got going: 5 for 1 early on set the tone, and by the time it was 38 for 3 sliding to 51 for 6, the floodgates were well and truly open, Charles House among the ducks at our hands. Sam Boyns was magnificent, ripping through with 4 for 18, well backed by Matthew Carter's tidy 4 for 24 (two maidens no less) and Harry Bee's 1 for 18. The visitors were bowled out for a paltry 86 in 24.2 overs.

A splendid day all round, capped by Sam Boyns reaching 100 career wickets. A win by 156 runs — one to savour, ducks and all.

Sat 28 May 2011 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWWWWW

I lost the toss of the coin with the weather too, though the sun stayed out for the trip down to Meopham, which was more than could be said for our top order. We were bowled out for 171 in the 43rd over, Iain Cardew doing the heavy lifting with a fine 78, while poor Will Thew made the long walk back for nought, a duck he'll be hearing about in the clubhouse for some weeks yet.

With the ball, we scrapped hard but couldn't quite land the blow that mattered. Andrew Bryant and Gary Howorth put on half-centuries of 75 and 55 respectively to steady the home side, and 174/6 in 41.1 overs eventually proved out of our reach to defend. It wasn't for want of trying, mind. Iain Rawson bowled beautifully for 4-31, I chipped in with a couple of overs' worth of control myself, Lewis Burnham and Dan Barkaway picked up a wicket apiece, and Dan's three maidens showed there was little easy about batting against us. We did at least have the satisfaction of sending Darren Deeks back for a golden duck of his own, some small consolation on an afternoon that got away from us.

Cardew continues to lead the 2nd XI run charts with 275 for the season, and Rawson tops the wickets with 9, so there's plenty to be proud of even in defeat. Beaten, not disgraced. We dust ourselves down and go again next week.

Sat 28 May 2011 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWWLW

Skipper's Log — Meopham CC (h), Saturday 28 May

Lost the toss, put in to field — the traditional Linton Park welcome for our visitors. Undeterred, we set about building something substantial, though not before Richard Piper's golden duck and an early stumble that left us 0 for 1 and a few of us reaching for the tea urn a touch early. From there it was all calm authority: the third-wicket pair put on a priceless 153, with Glen Rawson sailing past fifty to 69 and Craig Sands simply magnificent, motoring to an unbeaten 111. Harry Bee chipped in a tidy 32 as we closed on a mighty 258 for 4 from our 45 overs — the sort of total that makes the tea taste sweeter.

With the ball, we were rampant. James Fotheringham's 35 was the only real resistance Meopham could muster, while Richard Boot departed without so much as troubling the scorers. Sam Boyns was the chief destroyer with 3 for 13, Matthew Carter metronomic with 2 for 20 and four maidens to his name, and I was pleased to get among the wickets myself with 2 for 23, adding 20 with the bat for good measure. Nine byes did rather suggest poor Craig Sands was having a torrid time behind the stumps — the price of glory, perhaps, after his morning heroics. Meopham folded for 110.

A word for the history books: Craig's century nudges him past Mike Elworthy into 10th on the club's all-time run charts. A 148-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — the sort of result that makes the drive home fly by.

Sun 22 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWDWLW

I did not get relegated to twelfth man for scoring duties — here's the report.

Bearsted won the toss and, with the confidence of men who fancied their bowling attack, put us in. We began cautiously, and it was slow going in patches, but 182 for 9 off 42.4 overs was a respectable total to defend, built around a middle-order rally. Mark Christmas and Will Thirkell both weighed in with 34 apiece, and the eighth-wicket pair added a priceless 65 when the innings threatened to fold — proof, if any were needed, that Linton Park batting order is less a hierarchy than a lucky dip. I'm pleased to say I led from the front with 52, though the top of the order otherwise had a torrid time of it, with Richard Piper, Laurie Probert and Will Bramley-Harker all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Three ducks before lunch is not the stuff of legend, but we take what we're given.

With the ball, the lads bowled with real discipline, restricting Bearsted to 120 for 5 from their 42 overs. Mark Christmas backed up his batting with the best figures of the day, 1 for 3, while Sam Boyns and Michael Beeney chipped in either side of him, and Harry Bee sent down three maidens that must have felt like interrogation. Poor Ollie Howarth had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 13 byes, though he'll be forgiven over a pint or two.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, all things considered, that flattered no one and disappointed no one — which, in village cricket, is as fair a result as you'll find.

Sun 22 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformLLLWL

I called correctly at the toss on a bright Sunday down at Sissinghurst, and there was never much doubt about the decision — we were batting. What followed was largely one man's afternoon: Glen Rawson played beautifully for an unbeaten 103, well supported by Iain Rawson's 23, the pair putting on 84 for the eighth wicket to drag us to a very respectable 198/9 from 43.3 overs. Not every card is without blemish, mind — poor Ron McCormick's contribution was a golden duck, and he'll be relieved the rest of the lads batted around him.

With the total defended, it was our turn to make merry with the ball. Sissinghurst gave it a good go — Freddie Wood cracked a fine 51 and Mick Winner chipped in with 42, the two putting on 75 for the third wicket — but they never quite threatened, folding for 148 in 37.2 overs. Reuben Collingwood, Tom Goodsell and Tony Reader all departed without troubling the scorers, which rather summed up their afternoon. Jordan Austin was the pick of the attack with 3-20, and I found a bit of rhythm myself, finishing with 3-31, with Iain Rawson chipping in 2-16 to squeeze the innings shut.

A fine win by 50 runs, then, and one built on a single magnificent innings from Glen Rawson, who now tops our Sunday 2nd XI run charts, while I'm rather chuffed to lead the wicket charts too. Onwards, and long may the sun keep shining on Linton Park.

Sat 21 May 2011 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWWWWW

As it stands, twenty-one years young or otherwise, there are Saturdays that remind you why you took the captaincy on, and Saturday 21 May was one of them. We rolled up to West Farleigh, lost the toss, and were duly sent out to field first — the usual pantomime of being told what to do on someone else's ground.

We needn't have worried, because when our turn came to bat, we simply didn't stop. Joshua Knowler set the tone with a fine 84, I chipped in with 81 of my own — always satisfying to contribute when the side needs runs on the board — and Iain Cardew added a typically composed 58. Even the extras column got in on the act with a generous 72, and by the time we'd finished our 45 overs we'd posted a formidable 358 for 6. West Farleigh's bowlers, I suspect, will remember that afternoon for some time.

If our batting was a carnival, our bowling that followed was closer to a demolition. West Farleigh were bowled out for just 46 in 14.2 overs, with three of their number departing without troubling the scorers and only Darron Day's 22 offering any resistance. Matt Bramley-Harker was the chief destroyer with 3 for 12, while Michael Beeney (2 for 0, with two miserly maidens) and Iain Rawson (2 for 2) tidied up what little was left.

A comprehensive 312-run victory, two points banked, and Cardew and Beeney continuing to top the run and wicket charts respectively. All told, a proper thumping — and a rare afternoon where the captain's team talk could simply be "keep doing what you're doing."

Sat 21 May 2011 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLWWL

West Farleigh arrived on a fine Saturday, the coin span kindly, and — feeling uncharacteristically bold — I put us in. It proved a shrewd call, or at least I shall claim it was. We racked up 277 for 6 from our 45 overs, built on a truly magnificent century from Glen Rawson, 107 of the finest. I was glad to chip in with 62 not out myself, and Craig Sands added a brisk 24; our sixth-wicket stand of 65 was the sort of partnership that makes a captain's tea taste sweeter. The tail then wagged merrily for a final 53, much to the visitors' evident frustration, while a generous 37 extras rounded out a proper score.

With the ball, we set about defending it with purpose. West Farleigh limped to 157 for 9, Matt Brooke's determined 52 doing most of the damage, propped up by a 51-run fourth-wicket stand. Mahesh Ghule departed for a duck without so much as a whimper. Stuart Cheesman was superb, 3 for 11, well supported by Sam Boyns (2-14) and Will Thirkell (2-38), while Matthew Carter bowled four maidens of admirable meanness. Craig Sands had his hands full behind the stumps, twelve byes the only blot on an otherwise fine afternoon.

A word too on Stuart Cheesman's 400th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark that deserves its own round of applause. Rawson leads our 2011 run charts on 230, Carter tops the wickets on 11.

A fine win by 120 runs, then — the sort of Saturday that reminds you why we bother getting the whites out at all.

Sun 15 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Charing CC · AwayformLLLLW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 15 May 2011

I called it right at the toss and, in the fine tradition of village cricket optimism, elected to bat. Tim Wright played the innings of the day, cruising past his fifty to 65, with Ollie Howarth unbeaten on 26 and Will Thew chipping in 23 to help us to 181/9 from our forty overs. It wasn't all plain sailing — we lost our first wicket for just 4, and poor Martin Harris will want this newsletter used as kindling after his golden duck — but a stout 69-run stand for the fourth wicket rebuilt the innings, and a generous 27 extras from Charing's bowlers didn't go amiss either. I chipped in with a little runs of my own along the way, for what it's worth.

Defending 181 always felt like asking the lads to hold back the tide, and so it proved. Neal Watts and Tom Lee simply batted us out of it, unbeaten on 77 and 73 respectively, and Charing cantered home at 182/1 with overs to spare. Iain Rawson stood alone with the solitary success, 1 for 30, while poor Will Thew endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes squeezing through like water through a colander.

Not our day, beaten by nine wickets, and there's no dressing that up. Heads up, chins in, and back to the nets — Charing away will linger a while, but the tea was good and the sun, at least, was on our side.

Sun 15 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wickham & Stodmarsh CC · HomeformDWDWL

Wickham & Stodmarsh CC arrived on a fine Sunday, I called correctly, and being an optimist as much as a captain, stuck us in to bat. It proved the right call. Richard Piper played the innings of the day with a classy 74, while Glen Rawson and Daniel Thirkell both chipped in with 48 apiece, and the openers gave us the platform with 130 for the first wicket before the scoreboard so much as blinked. Even our extras column fancied itself, contributing a generous 30. We closed on 224 for 4 — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through his fingernails.

In the field, Will Thirkell was the chief tormentor with 3 for 29, backed up handsomely by Harry Bee (2-18) and Matthew Carter, whose 2 for 38 came with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure. R Smith fought a lone and rather stubborn rearguard with 58 not out, ably assisted by Iain Barwick's 34, and a 9th-wicket stand of 53 threatened briefly to spoil our afternoon — but Wickham & Stodmarsh were bowled out for 172, some 52 runs shy. Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, gifting 14 byes, and Ollie Hayward, T Dixey and K Hince all made twin ducks their contribution to proceedings.

Off the field there was history too — Daniel Thirkell climbed to 8th on the club's all-time run charts, and Matthew Carter edged into 22nd among the wicket-takers. A fine team performance, a fine win, and onwards we go.

Sat 14 May 2011 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWLWW

Off the back foot from the very first ball at Sheldwich, I could hardly complain about losing the toss — they had first use of both the pitch and our bowling attack, and made a fair fist of it. James Creed's 99 was the innings of the day, a proper captain's headache of a knock, well supported by Martin Mills' 26 after they'd wobbled to 5 for 1. A stand of 101 for the second wicket threatened to bat us out of the game entirely, though credit to the lads for hauling them back from 138 for 4 to 157 for 7 before the innings folded on 162. Matthew Carter was superb throughout — 4 for 20 with three maidens, miserly as ever — with Richard Knowler chipping in with four of his own, if a touch more expensively.

Chasing 163, we made a decent fist of it ourselves. Glen Rawson's 42 was the backbone of the innings, nicely backed up by Richard Piper's 35, and the opening pair put on a handy 59 to give us a platform. But cricket, as ever, delights in reminding you who's boss, and a collapse from 128 for 5 to 137 for 8 did for us. I contributed my own small chapter to that horror show — bowled for nought, and the less written about it the better. We were all out for 149.

There was a silver lining amid the wreckage: Glen brought up 4,000 runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and one of the few things worth cheering all afternoon.

Beaten by 13 runs, then — not our day, but not a disgrace either. Back to the nets, heads up, and on we go.

Sat 14 May 2011 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWWWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 14 May 2011. West Farleigh CC the visitors, and for once I won the toss and didn't have to pretend it was a difficult decision — we batted.

David Castle played the innings of the day, cruising to 107 not out, the sort of hundred that makes the rest of us look like we're using the wrong-shaped bat. Will Thew chipped in nicely with 46 and Dan Barkaway with 37, and between them we rattled up 246/3 from our 40 overs, which even by our own generous standards of optimism felt like plenty.

And so it proved. With the ball, Michael Beeney was the star of the show, ripping through with 3-14, well backed up by Martin Harris's 3-20. Jason Burke and Mitchell Smith both departed for ducks at our hands, Ian Hollingworth bowled two miserly maidens, and I managed to sneak in with 2-22 of my own — the sort of figures I'll be mentioning at the bar for weeks. Adrian Lake's defiant 21 was about the only thing West Farleigh had to show for their innings before they folded for 116.

Two moments for the scrapbook: Tim Wright brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, and I reached the small personal landmark of 50 career wickets — not bad for a captain who mostly just fields at mid-off and shouts encouragement.

A 130-run win, two points banked, and a very satisfied drive home. Verdict: as convincing a performance as you'll see on a Saturday in May — bat, ball and tea all first-rate.

Sun 08 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Dartford CC · AwayformWDWDW

Sunday 08 May 2011, and off we trundled to Dartford CC with the coin failing us yet again — they won the toss and, with the confidence of men who'd checked the forecast, chose to bat. We took the field instead, and there were early signs of promise when they lost a wicket with just 4 on the board, the sort of start that has openers exchanging worried glances. But a third-wicket stand of 72 steadied the ship, and Jay Dassrath compiled a fine 79 to anchor their innings, with Sunny Birring (33) and Adam Clarke (22) chipping in as they closed on 193 for 6 from their forty overs. Will Thirkell was pick of our bowlers with 2-28, Mark Christmas bowled tidily for 1-36 including two maidens, and Sam Boyns chipped in with 1-34.

193 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. Will Thirkell, having bowled so well, then top-scored with the bat too — a battling 51 — well supported by Glen Rawson's 30. But around them the innings fell apart in the familiar manner, four wickets becoming seven between 74 and 81, and ducks for Laurie Probert, Matt Ellesmere and Iain Rawson completed a chastening afternoon. All out for 135 in 33.4 overs.

Small consolations: Glen Rawson still leads our Sunday run charts with 180 for the season, and Sam Boyns tops the wicket-takers with 8. But a 58-run defeat is a 58-run defeat, however you dress it up. Back to the nets, lads — and perhaps a stern word with whoever keeps losing us that coin.

Sun 08 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Holmesdale CC · HomeformLLLLL

Sunday 8 May 2011, and Holmesdale CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, unusually, the coin agreeing with me — I called correctly and had no hesitation sticking them in.

It looked a dubious call early doors as Leo Cammish and the openers put on 79 for the first wicket before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, and Cammish went on to a fine 85. Guy Davison (38) and Sam Noss (28) kept the scoreboard humming, and 192/4 from their forty overs looked a decent total on a good pitch. Credit to Michael Beeney, who dragged us back into it with 2-22, while I chipped in with 1-34 and Martin Harris picked up 1-44 — enough between us to stop it getting truly out of hand.

Chasing 193, we set about it sensibly rather than spectacularly. Richard Piper played the innings of the day, 82 not out and simply refusing to get out, with Dan Barkaway (37) and Jamie Ratcliffe (22) building the platform around him — their stand for the fifth wicket worth 63 was really the difference. Poor Paul Ratcliffe's contribution began and ended with a golden duck, bless him, though a generous 30 extras from Holmesdale did their bit for the cause too. We got there with five wickets and half an over or so to spare.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a very pleasant afternoon's work — Piper the undoubted hero, and the rest of us happy simply to have played our part.

Sat 07 May 2011 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformLWWLW

On Saturday the toss went my way for once, and with the pitch looking lively I had no hesitation in sticking Staplehurst in. It was one of those mornings where every decision seems to come off: their top order departed in a hurry, 3-1, and from there the innings simply unravelled. Paul Motum, A Henson and Tim Watts all trooped back without so much as troubling the scorers — three ducks in a row is the sort of thing that makes a captain feel positively benevolent. Matthew Carter was magnificent, ripping through with 3-10, Richard Knowler chipped in with 3-17, and I managed to find some rhythm myself, taking 3-23 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly. All out for 64 in 34.4 overs; a wonderful platform.

Chasing such a modest target should be straightforward, and so it proved, if not entirely without incident. We reached it in 14.2 overs for the loss of three, Daniel Thirkell top-scoring with a composed 23 not out, well supported by Stuart Cheesman's 20, the pair adding 53 for the third wicket to see the job done in style.

A nice footnote: Matthew Carter's three wickets took him past Ron Hickman into 23rd on the club's all-time list — quietly climbing the ranks while the rest of us just watch. A fine win by seven wickets, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

Mon 02 May 2011 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformWLWWL

We lost the toss on Monday and were sent in to field, which on a fine May evening felt like the skipper's prerogative more than a punishment. Selsdon set about building a total, and while an early wicket at 5-1 gave us hope, an 81-run fourth-wicket stand rather took the wind out of our sails as Jack Dinning (51) and Charlie Robertson (41) got themselves in and stayed there. They finished on 174/7 from their 38, a target that looked stiffer on paper than it turned out to be. Matthew Carter was the pick of the attack by some distance, his 3-24 doing the real damage, with Sam Boyns (2-10, two tidy maidens) and Darren Styles (1-35) squeezing things at the other end. Tom Cain, for the record, made his contribution with the ball rather than the bat, accounting for a duck.

Chasing 175, we were rather more businesslike about it. Iain Rawson played the innings of the day, 54 well-crafted runs, and along the way brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — the sort of milestone that deserves a pause and a nod even mid-chase. Glen Rawson (37 not out) and Lewis Burnham (21) played their parts in a second-wicket stand of 57 that set the platform, and 34 extras from a generous Selsdon attack didn't hurt either. We got home on 178/4 with overs to spare.

A fine win by six wickets, then, and a landmark innings to boot. Onwards.

Sun 01 May 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Wingham CC · AwayformWWDWD

Sunday the 1st of May took us across to Wingham, and it wasn't the trip I'd have chosen — losing the toss and being sent into the field never quite sets the pulse racing. Still, the lads knuckled down. Wingham posted 141 all out from their 38 overs, Richard French (37) and Colin Rampling (31) doing the bulk of the building after they'd shipped an early wicket with just 1 on the board. But once we got among them — 93-3 to 99-6 in the blink of an eye, with Gary Watkins, Jamie Watkins and Jason Cork all back in the hutch without troubling the scorers 🦆 — the innings rather fell away. Michael Beeney was the chief architect with 3-19, well supported by Sam Boyns (3-28) and Jon Harris (2-34).

Chasing 142, we made no great fuss of it. The openers gave us the perfect platform, 75 for the first wicket before the stand was finally broken, and Glen Rawson went on to bring up a fine half-century (52), Richard Piper chipping in nicely with 26. I added my own modest 19 to the cause, and we eased home at 143-6 with two overs unused.

A thoroughly professional afternoon's work, this — bowled with discipline, batted with poise, and Wingham's early promise quietly strangled. Two points banked, four wickets to spare, and Glen Rawson's bat and Sam Boyns' new ball both looking in ominously good early-season form. Verdict: a win to be proud of, and not a whiff of the last-ball fumbling this old captain usually has to apologise for.

Sat 30 Apr 2011 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWWLWW

Saturday 30 April 2011 saw us make the trip to Shipbourne, where losing the toss meant an afternoon in the field beckoned whether we fancied it or not.

We battled to 177/9 from our 45 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Harry Bee's watchful 54 and a fine supporting knock of 37 from Glen Rawson, the pair putting on 50 for the sixth wicket in what was very much the innings of the innings. Sadly, as is so often the way at this level, the middle order then contrived to turn a respectable 148-6 into a distinctly wobblier 156-9 in the time it takes to put the kettle on — a collapse of such speed that several of us were still padding up when it finished.

Defending 177 was always going to want a minor miracle, and Shipbourne rather declined to provide us with any drama, racing to 180/1 in just 26.3 overs. Sam Spink's unbeaten 79 did the bulk of the damage, ably assisted by James McCulley's 53 and George Willis's unbeaten 34, leaving our bowlers rather short of answers — Daniel Thirkell, gamely leading the attack for 1-29, was about the only one of us to lay a glove on them.

Nine wickets down and little argument about it. Not our day, lads — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 24 Apr 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv East Sutton CC · AwayformLWWDW

Sunday 24 April 2011, and off we trundled to East Sutton, losing the toss and duly being invited to field first — which of course meant we batted, cricket's oldest cruel joke. Not that anyone was complaining once Harry Bee and Glen Rawson got going: 117 on the board before East Sutton so much as glimpsed a wicket, the pair putting on a first-wicket stand that did all the hard work for us. Harry motored serenely to a chanceless hundred, Glen chipped in a handsome 79, and Will Thew came in to cream 58 not out, the innings closing at a thumping 325/5. Declarations were unnecessary; the runs simply kept coming.

Defending that lot should have been a formality, but East Sutton had other ideas, David Paine batting through for 96 not out and dragging them to 157/6 before their overs ran out. Credit to the bowlers for keeping the lid on regardless — Mark Christmas the pick with 2-18, well backed by Sam Boyns (2-23) and Tim Thirkell (1-20), while poor Dominic Uglow trudged off for a golden duck without so much as troubling the scorers.

A word too for Tim Wright, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — not a bad innings in itself, and one worth raising a glass to regardless of the result.

In the end honours were shared, the draw a fitting reward for a match that gave everything but a winner. On a day when 325 still wasn't quite enough to settle it, we'll happily take that as a job well done.

Sat 23 Apr 2011 🧢 1st XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformWWWLW

Lost the toss again on Saturday — some things never change — and found ourselves invited to field first against Hadlow. No complaints from me; sometimes it's rather nice to watch someone else do the running about first.

As it turned out, we needn't have worried. Craig Sands played an innings for the ages, 120 of the finest, and found the perfect foil in Daniel Thirkell, whose 86 kept the scoreboard humming along nicely. I chipped in with 31 of my own, more grateful than proud, while the extras column did its bit with a generous 33. Spare a thought, though, for poor Richard Piper, who walked back for a duck — the sort of afternoon that finds its way into club legend for all the wrong reasons. We closed on a formidable 270/5 from our forty overs, the kind of total that lets a captain sleep easy at tea.

Defending it, Hadlow's Benjamin Crowhurst gave us a proper fright with an unbeaten century, well supported by Andrew Velvick's composed 29 not out — the pair threatened to spoil our afternoon entirely. But Martin Harris led the attack beautifully with 2-36, while Dan Barkaway and Thomas Beeney chipped in a wicket apiece, Beeney tying things down further with four miserly maidens. Hadlow finished on 184/6 — good enough for pride, not for victory.

A fine win in the end, by 86 runs, and one to bottle for the winter evenings. Onwards indeed.

Sun 17 Apr 2011 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wilmington CC · HomeformWLWWD

Sunday the seventeenth of April found us hosting Wilmington CC, and having won the toss I didn't need long to make up my mind — into the field we went, on the theory that runs on the board can wait but wickets can't. Wilmington built steadily to 179 for 9 off their 42 overs, Cj Nicholson top-scoring with 29, Gurjant Dulay unbeaten on 29 and Satvinder Singh chipping in 27. But it was Sam Boyns who did the real damage, tearing through with 2 for 14 and four maidens that strangled the middle overs, well backed up by Joshua Knowler's 2 for 20 — and I'll allow myself one line of self-congratulation for a tidy 1 for 20 of my own.

Chasing 180, we made it look rather more comfortable than these things usually are. Kevin Presneill played the innings of the day, a well-crafted fifty worth 60, with Craig Sands unbeaten on 45 and Richard Piper adding a brisk 20; a generous 30 extras from the visitors didn't hurt either. We strolled home by 7 wickets with 31.3 overs on the clock.

A word of honour, too: Craig's 45 nudges him past Clive Newman into 11th on the club's all-time run charts, while Kevin now leads the 2011 Sunday run charts and Sam the wicket charts. All in all, a very good day for the club — the sort that makes the teas taste better.