🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 16 Sep 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Cowdrey CC · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday the sixteenth of September found us hosting Cowdrey CC, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and, with barely a flicker of hesitation, sent us in to bat. Glen Rawson set about proving why fifties don't come along for nothing, compiling a fine 82, while Daniel Thirkell (39) and Tim Wright (37) built handsomely around him, their fourth-wicket stand of 83 the innings' spine. Not everyone enjoyed themselves quite so much — Stuart Cheesman and Trevor Back both departed for ducks, proof that cricket remains a great leveller — but a generous 27 extras helped us to a healthy 202 for 6 from our forty overs.

Defending it, we made early inroads, Cowdrey losing their first wicket with just 2 on the board. Glen Warner (55) threatened to drag them back into it with a fifty of his own and a fifth-wicket stand of 52, but David Challis, Robert Fenwick and Will Needham all trooped back for ducks, and the middle order simply couldn't sustain him. Will Thirkell was superb with the new ball, 3 for 16, Richard Knowler chipped in with 2 for 1 and three miserly maidens, and Martin Harris took 2 for 36 as Cowdrey folded for 153 in 39.1 overs.

Rawson had a busier afternoon behind the stumps than in front of them, 15 byes leaking through, but the day belonged to Richard Knowler, who quietly brought up 200 career wickets — a proper mantelpiece moment. A fine win by 49 runs, and thoroughly deserved. Onwards.

Sat 15 Sep 2012 🧢 1st XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformDDDDW

Saturday 15 September, and Sidcup CC came to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather typically, the toss going against us — so it was pads off and boots on for the field first. They ground their way to 139 all out in 39.2 overs, Tim Dawes doing most of the damage with a well-made 57, the Stent brothers chipping in with 25 and 23 apiece. Sam Boyns was the pick of the attack with 3-25, Michael Beeney and Martin Harris both weighed in with two apiece, and Will Thirkell strangled the scoring with a couple of tidy maidens. David Rolls and Tom Mothersole both went for ducks, which I'm sure they'll want no further mention of.

Chasing 140 should never be described as comfortable in this fixture list, and true to form we lost our first wicket without a run on the board — the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the flask before the tea interval has even been thought of. But Daniel Thirkell settled things beautifully, farming the strike and the runs in equal measure to finish unbeaten on 75, with a stout 51-run stand for the third wicket doing the real repair work. I chipped in with the ball earlier and was pleased enough with my own afternoon's work. Harry Bee and Kevin Presneill both fell for ducks, proof this was never going to be a stroll.

Home by five wickets, two points banked, and Daniel Thirkell's bat continues to do the talking at the top of the run charts. A scratchy, occasionally alarming, thoroughly deserved win.

Sun 09 Sep 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWWWL

Sunday 9th September, and Meopham CC came calling — a fixture that always seems to bring out either the best or the very worst in us. On Sunday, mercifully, it was the former, though not before a batting effort that could charitably be described as "solid rather than spectacular." We limped, nudged and occasionally clattered our way to 149/9 from our 40 overs, a total that owed everything to Matthew Gladwell's unbeaten 32, well supported by Glen Rawson's 30. I chipped in with 26 myself, more through stubbornness than style, but every run counts when you're not entirely sure it'll be enough.

And by tea, it didn't look like it would be. Andrew Powney set about our total with intent, making 39 of the runs that actually mattered, while Alex Bryant (26 not out) and Stephen Innes (23) threatened to make our afternoon a long one. But this is where Michael Beeney earned his tea and biscuits, tearing through their middle order with a magnificent 4-25, Martin Harris chipping in with 2-14 and Sam Boyns with 1-34. Mark Ford and Andrew Dixon both departed without troubling the scorers — quacking all the way back to the pavilion.

In the end, Meopham fell nine runs short, and we breathed a collective sigh of relief. Glen Rawson continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 409, and Martin Harris tops the wicket pile with 23 — form that's carrying the rest of us along nicely. A tight, nervy, thoroughly enjoyable win. Cricket, eh?

Sun 09 Sep 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformDLWWL

A trip out to Hollingbourne CC on Sunday, and for once the sun seemed to know what it was doing, which is always a promising sign for a captain who spends most winters convincing himself cricket is a sensible hobby.

Batting first, we posted a very satisfactory 203/8 from our forty overs. I found some form with the bat, 88 of the runs coming from my blade, and Thomas Beeney played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 32. Extras chipped in a generous 38 — Hollingbourne's contribution to the Duck Club coffers, you might say, though we did our bit too, with Harry Bee, Ray Dixon and Simon Thirkell all taking that lonely walk back for nought.

In the field we were rather more clinical. Hollingbourne were bowled out for 154 in 37 overs despite a spirited 33 from Chris Case and 30 from John Cook — Jack Cook, alas, joined our own ducklings without troubling the scorers. The bowling honours were shared handsomely: Thomas Beeney backed up his batting with 2-9, Will Thirkell strangled the middle overs with 2-23 and three tidy maidens, and I was fortunate enough to pick up 2-8 myself.

A win by 49 runs, two points banked, and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's cricket. Jordan Austin and Thomas Beeney continue to lead the season's run and wicket charts respectively — the rest of us merely orbiting their brilliance. All in all, a job well done.

Sat 08 Sep 2012 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformDDDDD

Saturday the 8th of September saw us make the journey out to Shipbourne, and I won the toss with what I like to think was my usual quiet authority, electing to bat without so much as a glance at the sky. It proved the right call. Harry Bee played an innings of real substance, an imperious 118 that anchored everything around it, while Daniel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 46 to help us to a formidable 234 for 7 from our forty overs. I contributed a workmanlike 15 of my own, which I mention only because nobody else will.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it largely proved. Shipbourne fought hard through George Pollard, whose 38 held their innings together, with Ben Pennells and Neil Lee-Amies both weighing in with 29 apiece. But the bowling had the last word: Harry Bee, not content with his century, tore through with 3 for 21, Martin Harris backed him up with 3 for 34, and Thomas Beeney picked up a wicket for 21 of his own, with poor George Sturdy dismissed without troubling the scorers. Sam Boyns, meanwhile, bowled with a miser's discipline, sending down three maidens for good measure. They fell to 169 for 9.

A 65-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Harry Bee's hundred-and-wickets double will live long in the memory, Daniel Thirkell continues to top our run charts for the season with 487, and Will Thirkell sits proudly third among the wicket-takers with 23. All told, a report that writes itself.

Sun 02 Sep 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Knockers CC · AwayformLDLWW

Sunday 2 September, and we made the trip out to Knockers CC in reasonable spirits. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — bowl first on a fresh morning and you're inviting the sort of collapse that keeps you awake on the drive home. As it turned out, we found a way to have one anyway.

129 all out from 41.1 overs is not a total that troubles the scoreboard operator for long. I managed 40 myself, and Thomas Beeney gave good support with 24, but from there the innings rather ran out of ideas — Ray Dixon and Will Bramley-Harker both departed for ducks, and 129 always felt light on a used pitch.

In the field we scrapped hard without ever quite landing the killer blow. Thomas Beeney was excellent — 1-19 with two maidens, miserly as a Yorkshireman with the milk bill — and I chipped in with 1-29, Will Bramley-Harker also taking one. But T Watts (29 not out) and support from M Watts (22) and Lynden Spencer Allen (22 not out) saw Knockers home comfortably at 133/3 from 28.3 overs. Eight byes off poor Mark Christmas told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

A six-wicket defeat, then, and no way to dress it up. Will Thirkell continues to churn out the runs in the season charts and Thomas Beeney leads the wickets, which is some consolation — but for the rest of us, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 02 Sep 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday the 2nd of September saw Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC pay us a visit, and the coin toss did us no favours – asked to bat, but not one to sulk over a toss, is it? What followed was rather special. Glen Rawson and the openers put on 154 before the first wicket fell, an opening stand that set the whole tone, and Glen simply carried on from there to a majestic 103 not out. Will Thew chipped in an unbeaten 44 and Benjamin Austin a tidy 37, and with 26 extras thrown in for good measure we closed on a handsome 226/3 from our 40 overs. Declarations of "that should do it" were, I confess, uttered in the tea interval.

Cricket, being cricket, had other ideas. Jack Jarrett strolled to a superb hundred, unbeaten on 100, with Tim Haywood keeping him company for a fine 67, and their second-wicket stand of 101 did the real damage. Luke Welsman was our pick with the ball (1-15), with Michael Beeney (1-38) and Iain Rawson (1-39) chipping in, but 8 byes rather gave the game away – a testing day behind the stumps if ever there was one. They got home with three overs to spare, 227/3, and seven wickets in hand.

Small consolations: Glen now tops our 2012 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 379, and Michael sits third in the wickets. But the honest verdict is this – not our day, outbatted by a better team on the day, and it's heads up, backs straight, and off to the nets we go.

Sat 01 Sep 2012 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformDDDDD

Saturday last saw Sheldwich CC roll up the drive, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision that, for once, I shall allow myself to look smug about. The lads batted with real substance, posting 202/6 from our 45 overs. Daniel Thirkell led from the front with a handsome 64, and a magnificent 107-run stand for the second wicket, built alongside Craig Sands' fluent 43, gave the innings its backbone. I chipped in with an unbeaten 27 down the order, more grateful than gifted, I'll admit.

With the ball, we simply strangled them. Richard Knowler was in unplayable form, spinning his way to 5-20 and leaving Sheldwich batsmen bewildered on their way back to the pavilion. Sam Boyns (2-34) and Thomas Beeney (1-5) tidied up what Richard left behind, while I did my bit with six maidens — not a run given away lightly. Three ducks fell along the way, and a horror slide from 54-2 to 57-5 told its own story of a side under the cosh. James Creed, Matt Smyth and Maxine Blythin all showed fight, but 123/9 was never going to trouble our total.

A fine milestone too, with Craig Sands reaching 12,000 career runs for the club — a number that rather puts the rest of us to shame. We ran out winners by 79 runs. A thoroughly good day at the office.

Mon 27 Aug 2012 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformWDDDD

Then it was our turn with the ball. They reached 140/9 from 46 overs — Jordan Austin, 101 not out, three figures no less, ably supported by Will Thew's fine unbeaten 78, with the extras column pitching in a handy 39 to help us to 225/2 from 39.4 overs.

Monday 27 August found Maidstone Dissidents CC at Linton Park, and I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody in the pavilion argued with me. What followed was rather more than we'd bargained for. Jordan Austin brought up a magnificent century, unbeaten on 101, while Will Thew kept him steady company with a classy 78 not out, and even our extras column turned in a performance worthy of a place in the middle order. 225/2 from 39.4 overs is the sort of total that makes tea taste sweeter.

With the ball we set about defending it, and while we never quite prised out that last wicket, we gave the Dissidents precious little peace. Sam Boyns was magnificent, 3-11 with four maidens — not a run given away lightly, and Mike Duggan sent back for a golden duck along the way. Thomas Beeney chipped in with 3-30, and en route passed 200 career wickets, a landmark that deserves rather more than a line in the gazette. Matthew Carter's 2-33 kept him ticking over nicely too, and now sits him fourth in our 2012 first-team wicket charts. David Castle's 31 and A Wyatt's unbeaten 21 saw the visitors home to 140/9 from their 46, and honours were shared.

A draw, then — honest toil rewarded with nothing more than a handshake, but a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket all the same.

Sun 26 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Stockbury CC · AwayformWWWWW

As we won the toss at Stockbury on a Sunday that felt made for batting, I had no hesitation in taking first strike, and for once the decision looked every inch the correct one as the innings unfolded.

We posted 151/8 from our forty overs, built on the back of Will Thirkell's fine 43, with Jamie Ratcliffe unbeaten on 27 lending things a tidy finish. I chipped in with 29 of my own, glad to do my bit, though it wasn't all sunshine on the scorecard — Trevor Back and Nigel Thirkell both fell without troubling the scorers, proof that even on a good day the game keeps you humble. A generous 25 extras rounded out the total nicely, which we'll happily take.

Defending 151 is never a formality, but Sam Boyns had other ideas, ripping through Stockbury with a magnificent 3-6, well backed by Will Thirkell (2-2) and Martin Harris (2-30), while Joshua Knowler bowled three miserly maidens to squeeze the life out of things. Sam Martin's gutsy 53 was really the only resistance offered, and three Stockbury batsmen — Simon Norcott, S Clare and Jonathan Brignall — departed for ducks of their own as the innings folded for 87 in 30.4 overs.

A special mention, too, for Will Thirkell reaching 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to.

We ran out winners by 64 runs. All told, a thoroughly good day for Linton Park.

Sun 26 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wadhurst CC · HomeformLLDLW

Sunday 26 August 2012, and Wadhurst CC came calling. Won the toss, elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody in the pavilion argued with me.

We flew out of the blocks, 77 on the board before the first breakthrough, and from there the innings simply refused to sit down. Jordan Austin led the charge with a fine 53, Mark Christmas followed with a well-made 52 — and rather more significantly, brought up 5,000 career runs for the club along the way, which called for something stronger than the usual tea-urn squash. Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 49, and an 86-run stand for the third wicket did the heavy lifting. 201/3 from our 41 overs felt like a total with some bite to it.

And bite it did. Wadhurst never got going, reduced to 95 all out from 28 overs despite Alan Notley's battling 25 and Marcus Deguigand's 22. Michael McKernan and Joe Everdell departed without troubling the scorers. Luke Welsman was the chief destroyer with 4-11, Nat Presneill chipped in with 2-25, Benjamin Austin bowled tight with two maidens, and I managed to get in on the act myself with 1-2 off my allocation.

A comfortable, thoroughly satisfying win by 106 runs, and with Christmas's landmark thrown in, a proper afternoon for the club. Onwards indeed.

Sat 25 Aug 2012 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformDWDDD

Winning the toss at Meopham on a Saturday that promised more than it delivered wasn't a difficult decision — I fielded first without a second thought, and for a while it looked the shrewder call. James Fotheringham had other ideas, though, ghosting past fifty to finish on 52 and giving Meopham the platform, with Adam Roxburgh (39) and Andrew Powney (35) chipping in as their fifth-wicket pair put on a crucial 77. It took some discipline to peg them back to 175/6 from their 35 overs, and credit where due: Richard Knowler bowled beautifully for 2-27, Sam Boyns backed him up with 2-36, and I managed a couple myself, 2-44, while Matthew Carter simply refused to be hit, sending down two miserly maidens.

Chasing 176 is never a formality, and Craig Sands set about proving as much with a fine half-century — 55 in the end — well supported by Will Thirkell's unbeaten 39 and Daniel Thirkell's 29, their second-wicket stand of 63 doing the heavy lifting. I contributed a workmanlike 17 down the order, and we edged home on 176/6 with three balls to spare in the 35th over. Eight byes rather gave the game away about the truth of Craig's afternoon behind the stumps — a testing day indeed, in every sense.

Two points, and thoroughly earned: a four-wicket win, scrappy in places but full of individual class, and just the sort of afternoon that makes the long drive to Meopham worthwhile.

Sun 19 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Chelsfield Park CC · AwayformLWWWW

Sunday 19 August 2012, and off we trundled to Chelsfield Park, losing the toss in the manner to which I've grown resigned. They had first use of a wicket that clearly held few terrors, and ground their way to 139/8 from 51 overs — Andrew Lofthouse the chief architect with an unbeaten 59, nurdled and nudged with Jake Phillips (22) for steady company. Our bowling, though, kept the total honest: Martin Harris was excellent with 2-25, Michael Beeney chipped in with 2-43, and Tim Wright picked up a wicket for just 9. As for me, I sent down four maidens and kept things tight enough that not a run came easily — quiet satisfaction for a captain who likes his figures parsimonious. Damien Wheatley, for his part, departed for a duck, never quite working out which end the ball was coming from.

139 is never a total to be sniffed at on a good pitch, but the lads set about the chase with sensible intent. Mark Christmas played the anchor role beautifully for 38, well supported by Tim Wright's 36 — a genuine all-round contribution with bat and ball on the day. Simon Thirkell will want to forget his own duck in a hurry, but around him the middle order held its nerve, and we cruised home at 140/5 from 37 overs.

A thoroughly professional five-wicket win, then, and two points banked without much drama — precisely how I like my cricket on a Sunday afternoon at Chelsfield Park.

Sun 19 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformLLLDL

Off it went at Linton Park last Sunday, and for once the toss actually mattered — I called it right and, with a wicket ready to do a bit, had no hesitation in sticking Benenden in. Credit where it's due: they made a fair fist of it, Owen Dearn unbeaten on 28 and Neal Metcalf (27) and William Huish (21) chipping in to see them to 129 all out in 28.4 overs. Will Thirkell was the pick of our attack by a distance, a lovely 3-21, with Jordan Austin (2-24) and Joe Millen (2-29) doing the supporting cast proud. I pottered along quietly with three maidens of my own, which is about as exciting as I get with the ball these days.

Chasing 130, we made hard work of what should have been straightforward, subsiding at times in a manner that will have had the tea urn shaking its head — Benjamin Austin and Thomas Beeney both departed for ducks. But Will Thirkell, having already done the business with the ball, then played the innings of the day with a superb 75, ably backed up by Jordan Austin's 26. I added a watchful 15 down the order, and we scrambled home at 135/7 with three wickets to spare.

A word too for the milestone amid the mayhem — I passed 400 career wickets along the way, which rather took the sting out of a nervy run chase. Two points banked, and thoroughly earned: scrappy, occasionally comic, but a win's a win.

Sat 18 Aug 2012 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformDDWDD

Saturday 18th August 2012, and Marden CC came calling on a day that would, in the end, do our season no harm at all. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in sending us in — and the lads rewarded that punt handsomely, racking up 207/4 from our 45 overs. David Castle was the star of the show with a really well-made 82 not out, ably backed up by Laurie Probert's 25 and, if I may allow myself one moment of quiet pride, 30 from my own bat. Twenty-six extras rounded things off nicely, courtesy of the Marden attack's generosity.

Chasing 208, Marden never quite got going against a bowling effort that had teeth all through the innings. Sam Tomkinson's 35 and Nick Burdge's 20 were the only real resistance, and though their last pair had the cheek to add an unwanted 45 before the innings finally folded at 140, it was too little, too late. Will Thirkell was outstanding with 4-28, Richard Knowler chipped in with 3-16, Joshua Knowler took one, and Matthew Carter bowled three tidy maidens to strangle the scoring. Spare a thought for David "Dai" Thomas and C Baxter, both sent back without troubling the scorers.

A comfortable 67-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the kind of afternoon that reminds you why you bother with the early alarm and the damp kit bag.

Fri 17 Aug 2012 🧢 Midweek XIv The Dragons CC · HomeformDLWWL

From the captain's chair — Friday 17 August 2012. The Dragons CC visited us, I lost the toss, and we were sent out to field, which on a warm summer's evening felt less like punishment and more like the toss simply doing its job of ruining my day early.

The Dragons made hay to the tune of 215/7 from their 48 overs, built almost entirely around Chris Churchman's superb hundred, with James Churchman (29) and Joe Williams (25) offering loyal support. Thomas Beeney was the pick of our attack by some distance, bowling with real menace to return 4-40 and even accounting for Ross Davies for a golden duck. I chipped in with 1-6, Matthew Carter added 1-18 and bowled two tidy maidens for good measure, and between us we kept the total to something gettable, even if 215 always looks a good deal smaller on paper than it does at the crease.

Chasing 216, we replied with 175/8 from our 42 overs — short of the target, but not for want of application. I was fortunate enough to find some form and carried the innings through to 51 not out, a personal contribution I was quietly satisfied with, and Will Thew batted nicely alongside me for 43. Joe Martin, Will Thirkell and Will Hodges all had quieter afternoons with the bat, while extras chipped in a generous 25.

With honours shared, it was a draw that flattered nobody and disappointed nobody either — a fair result on a good cricket wicket, and, with 140 runs to my name this season, one I'll happily take.

Sun 12 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Herne CC · HomeformWLWWW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 12 August 2012

Won the toss and, in a fit of uncharacteristic decisiveness, chose to bat first against Herne CC. It proved the right call, though I take no credit for what followed — Glen Rawson batted like a man possessed, cracking 88 not out, while Tim Wright chipped in a handsome 56 and Matthew Gladwell closed things out with an unbeaten 23. Even our extras column got in on the act with 27, which is roughly what I score in a good month. All told, 226 for 4 from our 40 overs — a total that had a very satisfying heft to it as we walked off for tea.

Herne's reply never had the look of a chase. Martin Harris was simply magnificent, ripping through them with 5 for 12 — a thoroughly deserved five-for — while Michael Beeney strangled the life out of the other end with 2 for 22 and four maidens, not giving away a run he didn't have to. I chipped in with 1 for 10, which I mention once and shall not mention again. Paul Bartlett and Sam Taylor departed for ducks with the bat, but by then the match was already ours; Herne folded for 78 in the 30th over.

Milestones all round — Harris past 100 career wickets, Beeney past 800, and Rawson's innings vaulting him past Keith Hatcher into 24th on the all-time run list. A fine win by 148 runs, and not a bad afternoon's work for a Sunday.

Sat 11 Aug 2012 🧢 1st XIv Boughton & Eastwell CC · AwayformDDDWD

11 August 2012 – Away at Boughton & Eastwell CC

Winning the toss on a morning that promised a proper day's cricket, I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first — a decision that, for once, I shan't be dining out on apologies for. David Castle played the innings of the season, a majestic unbeaten century, and found the perfect foil in a rollicking 98-run stand for the fourth wicket. I chipped in with 51 of my own before Laurie Probert saw us home to a handsome 220 for 4 from our 45 overs. Not a bad afternoon's work with the bat, even if I say so myself.

Boughton & Eastwell gave it a real go in reply. Craig Mannering and Chris Brett both passed fifty and put on a stubborn 62 for the fifth wicket that had us checking our watches rather more than we'd have liked, but Mark Hammond departed for a duck at our hands and the required rate never quite let them settle. I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm with the ball, taking 4 for 35 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, while Matthew Carter and Richard Knowler picked up a wicket apiece to keep the pressure on. Poor Glen Rawson behind the stumps endured rather a trying afternoon, eight byes going begging.

They were bowled out for 198, and we squeaked home by 22 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one I'll happily take home in the kitbag.

Tue 07 Aug 2012 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDDLWW

Tuesday 7th August found us hosting Bexley CC, and the coin let us down before a ball had been bowled — Bexley won the toss and sent us in. Batting first is never a cricketer's favourite way to spend an afternoon in the sun watching from the outfield rather than the middle, but the lads set about it gamely. It wasn't the start we'd have chosen: 8 for 1 had us shuffling on the boundary edge, and poor Lewis Burnham's afternoon began and ended without troubling the scorers — a duck to make even the ducks blush. Thankfully I found some form of my own, top-scoring with 41, and with Bexley's bowlers kindly chipping in 26 extras, we crawled to 113 for 9 off our 40 overs — respectable rather than daunting.

Defending it wanted discipline, and for a long while we had them rattled. Tim Thirkell was magnificent, snaring 3 for 18, while Michael Beeney bowled with real miserliness — three maidens to go with his 2 for 13 — and even had the satisfaction of a duck at our hands courtesy of Jack Laing. But a stand of 51 for Bexley's first wicket set the tone, and Robert Foot's 28 alongside an unbeaten 27 from Adrian Wiltshire steadied whatever nerves remained, seeing them home by five wickets with half an over in hand.

Not our day, then, but no disgrace either. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sun 05 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv FC Farningham CC · AwayformLWLWW

It was one of those away days at Farningham that make the whole season worthwhile. We won the toss and put them in, always a nice way to settle nerves on a warm Sunday, and Farningham could only limp to 97 for 7 from their 35 overs. Greg Smith made a watchful 38 not out and had good company from Gareth Tongue's 29, but there was little else to trouble the scorers, and poor Paul Fletcher will want to forget his golden duck entirely. Our attack was relentless in the shade of a green top: Chris Newman was the pick of the bunch with 2 for 7 including two maidens, mean as you like, while Tim Wright matched those figures and Martin Harris chipped in with 2 for 16.

Chasing such a modest total ought to have been a formality, and in truth it very nearly wasn't, as these things so often contrive to be in club cricket. We stumbled to 98 for 4 in 32.3 overs, with Glen Rawson batting sensibly for his unbeaten 35 to see us home, while Adam Wright's contribution was, in his own words probably best left unprinted, a golden duck of his own.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Trevor Back continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 189, and Martin Harris tops the wicket-takers with 12. As for Farningham, a win to savour, and one to enjoy on the drive home.

Sun 05 Aug 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Bells Yew Green CC · HomeformWLLLD

I won the toss on Sunday and stuck us in — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scoreboard eventually said. Bells Yew Green ground out 139 for 7 from their 51.5 overs, built mainly around Carlin Tapp's watchful 60 and useful support from Chris Farrell's 37, while at the other end Tarif Chowdhury and Tom Pearson trudged back without so much as a nibble at the strike rate. For once the bowling did what I'd hoped: three wickets and four maidens came my way, with Benjamin Austin and Thomas Beeney chipping in a wicket apiece to keep things tidy. Not a run was given away lightly, and I'll confess a certain quiet pride in that — quite made up for what was to follow with the bat.

Chasing 140 should have been comfortable, and for a while it was, Jordan Austin's 47 and Mark Christmas's 45 building a fine 103-run stand for the second wicket after we'd lost an early one with nothing on the board. Then, as club cricket so loves to do, it all came apart — 119 for 3 became 126 for 6 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea, and Richard Piper, Ray Dixon and your correspondent all contributed ducks to a rather blotted scorecard. All out for 135, four runs short.

A word of comfort amid the wreckage: those three wickets nudged me past Dave Todd into 18th on the club's all-time list. Small mercies. Jordan Austin remains our leading run-scorer this summer and Thomas Beeney our leading wicket-taker — the side is in good hands, even when the captain isn't. Not our day. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sat 04 Aug 2012 🧢 1st XIv BC Betsham CC · AwayformDDDDW

Saturday the fourth of August found us away at Betsham, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat — the sort of decision that looks either inspired or foolish by close of play, and thankfully it was the former.

The lads batted beautifully, racing to 329 for 5 from our 45 overs. Daniel Thirkell was simply magnificent, compiling an unbeaten 147 that anchored the whole innings, while Craig Sands chipped in a tidy 57. I was rather pleased to contribute 65 not out myself, and together with Daniel we put on 86 for the second wicket to really set the platform. Three hundred and twenty-nine felt like a mountain for Betsham to climb.

And climb it they could not. They lost a wicket before a run was even on the board, which rather set the tone, and though they steadied briefly, the innings unravelled from 88 for 4 to 104 for 7 in the blink of an eye — poor Lewis Skidmore and Ian Stickels trudged back without troubling the scorers. Mark Lapham fought hard for his 41, but Will Thirkell was relentless, taking 3 for 27 with three maidens, backed up superbly by Richard Knowler's 2 for 7 and my own 2 for 13. All out for 117 in 34.2 overs.

A fine win by 212 runs, and with Daniel now leading our season's run charts and myself topping the wicket-takers with 21, spirits in the camp are high. Onwards indeed.

Sat 04 Aug 2012 🧢 2nd XIv DC Dulwich CC · HomeformDDLDW

Won the toss on a bright Saturday against Dulwich and didn't need long to make up my mind — surfaces like that, you bat, and you bat first. David Castle made sure it was the right call, cracking a magnificent 104, while Tim Wright chipped in a fine 54 and Will Thew finished unbeaten on 37. The openers set the tone entirely, putting on 153 before the first wicket fell — the kind of start that lets the rest of the order play with a smile. Not everyone enjoyed themselves quite so much: poor Lewis Burnham's afternoon began and ended with a duck, though nobody could argue with 245/3 off 39 overs as a platform.

Defending that lot, we turned to the ball with confidence, and Dulwich were never quite able to get away from us, closing on 158/6 from their 45 overs. David Standley batted beautifully for his unbeaten 65, well supported by Richard Blench's 40 and Dave O'Higgins' unbeaten 28, but the bowling held firm throughout — Iain Rawson led the way with 2-15, Martin Harris chipped in 2-20, and I was pleased enough with my own 2-21, while Michael Beeney was miserly with four maidens to squeeze the scoring.

A word for Tim Wright, who brought up 3,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth toasting long after the covers went on. In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open, and on reflection a fair result from a thoroughly good day's cricket.

Sun 29 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformDWLLL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 29 July 2012

Won the toss and, in a fit of tactical genius that owed as much to the forecast as any grand plan, stuck Clarion CC in. For a while it looked the sort of decision that gets you a pint bought for you rather than one poured over you — and so it proved, up to a point.

Jordan Austin set the tone with the new ball, snaring 2-10, and made sure of his afternoon's work at the crease too, marking his own duck for good measure — cricket's way of keeping a man humble even on his best days. Thomas Beeney chipped in with 2-15 and Benjamin Austin with 2-44, while Tim Wright bowled with the meanness of a man who begrudges every run, four maidens to his name. Richard Hilson also departed without troubling the scorers. For all that discipline, Clarion's G Mannering (39) and the Driver brothers, Andy and S, both with 27, dragged the visitors to 153 all out in 45.1 overs — more than our bowling figures deserved to concede, if I'm honest.

Then the heavens, or something very like them, intervened, and we managed only 18/1 from four overs before the match was declared drawn. Honours shared, then, neither side able to force the issue — which in village cricket terms counts as a result nobody can complain about too loudly. A fine team bowling performance undone by the weather; we'll take the draw and the free afternoon that came with it.

Sat 28 Jul 2012 🧢 1st XIv Stowting CC · AwayformDDDDD

Saturday last took us to Stowting CC, and winning the toss I did what any captain raised on damp English mornings does — stuck them in the field and hoped for the best. We got to 156 for 9 off our 44 overs, a total that flattered to deceive at times. I was pleased to lead from the front with 57, and Richard Knowler chipped in handsomely with 48, the two of us putting on 72 for the fourth wicket that felt, briefly, like the makings of something substantial. Then, as is tradition at this club, the innings fell apart in the time it takes to pour a tea urn — 137 for 5 became 154 for 8, and we were grateful for every run banked before the collapse.

In the field we made them work for it. Their opener departed for next to nothing at 1 for 1, and Tom Wilkinson and Mike Pugh's ducks kept the pressure on. Matthew Carter was superb, 2 for 8 the pick of the attack, with Sam Boyns (2 for 25, two miserly maidens) and Richard Knowler (1 for 13) chipping away either side. Only Craig Harding's unbeaten 50, well supported by Dan Bland's 26, gave Stowting any hope, but 133 all out left them 23 runs short.

A word too for Matthew Carter, whose two wickets nudged him past Daniel Thirkell into 19th on the club's all-time list — history quietly rewritten between overs. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a rare afternoon where the collapse didn't cost us the match.

Sat 28 Jul 2012 🧢 2nd XIv OC OD CUACO · HomeformDDDLD

Saturday brought OD CUACO to Linton Park, and with the coin falling kindly I had no hesitation in sending us in — 40 overs to make hay while the sun, English weather permitting, allowed. And make hay we rather did. David Castle played the sort of innings captains dream about and rarely get, 65 the backbone of it, while Lewis Burnham's brisk 30 and Will Thew's 21 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely. The second-wicket stand of 64 was really the making of the innings. Not everything gleamed, mind — Chris Newman and Martin Harris both trudged back for ducks, proof that cricket retains its capacity for cruelty even on a good day — but the extras column chipped in a generous 34, and we closed on a very defendable 200 for 8.

Defend it we did. CUACO fought hard, Andy Rouse and the ever-obdurate Rowan Clapp (38 not out) both threatening to make a match of it, with Stephen Smith chipping in 28, but Martin Harris made early amends with 2 for 28, Michael Beeney bowled beautifully for 2 for 32 with two maidens to boot, and Matt Bramley-Harker's 1 for 31 kept the squeeze on. Laurence Sanders and Jonathan Edwards both departed without scoring, and 176 for 8 left us 24 runs to the good.

A thoroughly earned two points, then, and my own 332 runs still lead the 2nd XI charts — though on this evidence it's Michael Beeney's 16 wickets doing the heavy lifting. A proper team win, and a fine one to report.

Sun 22 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Addington Village CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday 22 July, Addington Village CC the visitors, and I called it right at the toss — no debate in my mind, we were batting.

We posted 191/6 off our forty, thanks in no small part to Glen Rawson's fine 71, with Will Thew (29) and I (27) chipping in to keep the scoreboard honest. A total that felt competitive without being spectacular — the kind that asks the bowlers to do some work rather than simply defend a mountain.

And work they did. Andrew Rimmer batted beautifully for his 65, well backed by Patrick Davis's 26, but Martin Harris was in irresistible form, tearing through with 4-16, and Michael Beeney (3-34) and Chris Newman (1-17) mopped up the rest between them. Tim Thirkell bowled two overs that yielded precisely nothing, which is its own quiet art. Poor Jack Bray never troubled the scorers, back in the pavilion for a duck before he'd had time to get comfortable. Addington finished 135/9, a full 56 runs short.

A special mention, too, for Will Thew, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that deserved rather more than the polite ripple of applause it got from a side already thinking about the tea urn.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a result that suggests this Sunday side is finding its rhythm.

Sun 22 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv High Halstow CC · AwayformWDWLL

Lost the toss on a bright Sunday down at High Halstow, and predictably enough we were shown straight into the field — no prizes for guessing who called wrong. High Halstow set about making themselves at home, racking up 218/7 from their forty overs with Adam Colegate the chief architect, cruising to 89 not out with the sort of ease that makes a captain's shoulders sag a little more with every boundary. Bhakta Das (46) and Ciaran Fredericks (28) chipped in dutifully. Credit where due, though: Jordan Austin worked hard for his 2-42, Matthew Ward picked up a tidy 1-13, and Sam Boyns bowled two maidens on his way to 1-25 — proper miserly stuff. Robert Taylor, at least, departed for a golden duck without troubling the scorers, which felt like our one moment of pure joy in the field.

Chasing 219 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved, though not for want of trying. I found some form and battled to 85 not out, with Jordan Austin a fine ally at the other end for 37 — between us we dragged the total to 160/8. Elsewhere the effort was less romantic: Jack Gwynn, Nat Presneill and Matthew Ward all walked back for ducks, a trio worthy of the Linton Park ledger of shame.

Beaten by 58 runs in the end — comprehensively out-batted, but not out-fought. We'll dust ourselves down and come back better next week.

Sat 21 Jul 2012 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDDDDD

Saturday last, we welcomed Milstead CC, and winning the toss I asked myself no questions and stuck them in — the strip looked lively enough to reward patience with the ball, and so it proved, eventually. Gareth Chick played the anchor role beautifully for 40, with Alex Tooke chipping in 29 and Paul Nicholls unbeaten on 23, but around them Milstead's middle order rather fell over itself — three ducks in Conor Annand, Mike Sellar and Michael Yates kept our fielders warm. Matthew Carter was the pick with 3-29, and I can't pretend I wasn't pleased to match him with 3-29 of my own, four of those overs maidens, which is about as tight as I've bowled all season. Daniel Thirkell chipped away with 1-9. All out for 130 in 44.5 overs felt, at the time, like a total we'd chase down with something to spare.

Alas, cricket has a way of humbling the confident captain. Craig Sands top-scored gamely with 20, but wickets tumbled around him — Daniel Thirkell and Thomas Beeney both suffered the walk of shame for nought — and we were bowled out for 120 in 43.3 overs, ten runs short of the mark.

So a match lost, though not without honour — Craig Sands still tops our 2012 run charts with 215, and I find myself second in the wicket standings with 18. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 15 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · AwayformDWLWL

Called it right at the toss for once, and there was never much doubt what I'd do with it — up on a good one, we batted. Laurie Probert played the innings of the day, a well-crafted fifty (55) that gave our total its backbone, with Trevor Back (29) and Will Thew (23) chipping in nicely around him. I added a watchful 16 myself, and 158/5 off our forty felt like a total with something in it, if not quite enough to relax over the tea urn.

New Ifield had other ideas early on, with Lyle Wheeler batting beautifully for his 53 and Joe Lawrence lending good support with 33, and for a good while it looked like our score might not be enough. But cricket has a way of turning on individual moments — Stephen Bage and Malcom Lockyer both departed without troubling the scorers at our hands, and I had one of those days with the ball that you dream about but rarely get, finishing with 5-34. Joshua Knowler picked up a well-earned wicket (1-30), and Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline, sending down three maiders of pure stinginess.

New Ifield fell agonisingly short on 133/8, and we held on for a 25-run victory. A thoroughly satisfying day all round — bat, ball and biscuits all present and correct.

Sun 15 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Faversham CC · HomeformWWDWL

It was Faversham CC at home on Sunday, and I won the toss and sent them in, fancying there might be a bit in the pitch for the lads early doors. As it turned out, we toiled for the best part of forty-three overs before winkling them out for 143. Phil Rowcroft and Andrew Machin did the heavy lifting for the visitors with 41 and 27 respectively, while at the other end Billy Egleton and Dave Sadler Snr both trudged off for ducks, which I shan't pretend didn't cheer us up no end. Thomas Beeney was in inspired form, running through them for 5-30, with Fraser Ritchie chipping in with 2-25 and Will Thirkell keeping things admirably tight for 1-17, four of his overs going entirely unscored.

With 143 to chase, I'd have taken it, but our reply never quite found its rhythm and we were bowled out for 131 in 35.1 overs. Richard Piper was the shining light with a fine 45, but wickets fell around him at regular intervals, and poor Fraser Ritchie, so miserly with the ball, found himself walking back for nought with the bat — the Duck Club ledger does not discriminate.

There was, at least, one thing to raise a glass to: Will Thirkell brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth far more than any single afternoon's result. Richard Piper continues to sit second in the season's run charts and Thomas Beeney leads the wickets column outright.

Beaten this time, then, fair and square. We dust ourselves down and go again.

Sat 07 Jul 2012 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformDDDDD

Saturday 7th July found us on the road to Headcorn, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and, with the sun out and a decent-looking track underfoot, had no hesitation in sticking us in. It proved the right call. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, 63 well past his fifty, and found the ideal foil in Will Thirkell's 42, the pair putting on a priceless 101 for the third wicket while the rest of us admired from the boundary rope. Even the extras column pitched in with a generous 29, and 203/6 from our 45 overs felt like a total with some teeth in it.

Headcorn's reply never got out of second gear. Andre Hattingh's 21 was as good as it got for them, and once the middle order folded — 68/6 becoming 83/9 in the blink of an eye — there was no way back. Kevin Richardson and Barry Curtis both departed without so much as troubling the scorers, which tells its own story. Sam Boyns led the charge with 2-12, Thomas Beeney chipped in with 2-16, Will Thirkell claimed one for nought, and Matthew Carter bowled with real discipline for his three maidens; I managed to get among the wickets too, which always makes the tea taste sweeter. All out for 83 in the 39th over.

A 120-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort of afternoon that makes the drive to Headcorn feel considerably shorter on the way home.

Sun 01 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Offham CC · HomeformTDWLW

I put us in to field on winning the toss at home to Offham CC, which in hindsight might have been the only decent decision I made all afternoon. The visitors made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 142/4 from their 34 overs, built around a composed fifty from Tom Gittings (69) and a watchful second-wicket stand of 59 that gave the innings its spine. Daniel Blakeburn chipped in an unbeaten 26 and Mark Collier 22 to see them to what always felt a competitive total. I can't claim we bowled badly — I led the attack and took 1-31 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, while Joshua Knowler and Martin Harris both weighed in with 1-32 and 1-37 respectively — but 142 always looked a par-plus score on a day when the bat wasn't quite talking back.

And so it proved. Our reply never got out of second gear, subsiding to 83 all out in 23.2 overs, the innings summed up neatly by poor Matthew Ward's golden duck. There's no dressing it up: we were beaten by 59 runs, comprehensively out-batted after a decent enough start with the ball.

Small mercies for the scorebook nerds among us — Trevor Back continues to top the 2012 Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 154, and I find myself sitting second in the wickets column with 7. Not enough to soften the blow of a heavy defeat, but proof there's substance in this side somewhere. We'll regroup, we'll bat with more application, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 01 Jul 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWWDW

Sunday 1 July found us on the road at The Mote CC, and the coin toss did its usual trick of going against us — they had a fielding day in mind, so batting first it was.

We stumbled to 133/8 from our 34 overs, which on reflection was a par-at-best total on a good pitch. I managed 46 to top-score, a knock I was fairly pleased with even if it needed a fair bit of luck along the way, and Jordan Austin chipped in nicely with 23 to give the innings some backbone. Beyond that, wickets fell at a rate that had me pacing the boundary rather more than I'd have liked.

In the field, The Mote made light work of it. Jonathan Crowhurst and Matthew White simply batted us out of the game, cruising to 134 without loss in just 21.5 overs — Crowhurst unbeaten on 71, White a classy 61 not out. We never laid a glove on either of them, and a ten-wicket defeat was the rather chastening result, our bowlers reduced to spectators by tea.

There was, happily, one shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Laurie Probert brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than the scoreline gave us room for. Jordan Austin, meanwhile, continues to lead our 2012 Sunday 1st XI run charts with 81 for the season.

All told, a chastening afternoon at The Mote, comprehensively outplayed by two batsmen in irresistible form. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sat 30 Jun 2012 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformDDDDL

A cracking Saturday for the diary — 30 June, and off we trundled to Marden CC in the Kent sunshine, kit bags packed with more hope than method, as ever. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat, a decision I'm rather pleased to report the day vindicated in full.

We batted with real purpose, closing on a handsome 196/4 from our 45 overs. I was delighted to lead from the front with 54, though the innings owed just as much to Nigel Thirkell's polished 52 not out and a brisk 24 from Iain Rawson — with extras chipping in a generous 30 of their own, which I shall claim as a tactical masterstroke rather than admit to a wayward opposition attack.

Defending the total, the lads were magnificent. Marden were bowled out for 144 in 41.1 overs, Lindsay Hancox's 41 and Richard Thomas's 34 the only real resistance, with Jon Lugg chipping in 20. Dan Ashton and Owen Bailey both departed without troubling the scorers. Tim Thirkell was the pick of the attack with a superb 4-17, well backed by Darren Styles (3-35) and Iain Rawson (2-23), while Michael Beeney was positively miserly with four maidens.

Up the season table I find myself leading the 2nd XI run charts with 322, and Darren Styles sits second among the wicket-takers with nine. A comfortable 52-run victory, two points banked, and a very satisfactory drive home.

Sat 30 Jun 2012 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformDDDDD

Saturday 30 June saw Meopham CC roll into Linton Park under grey skies and greater expectation, and having won the toss I elected to field — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scoreboard eventually had to say about it.

Andrew Powney made a proper nuisance of himself, compiling a fine 95 that anchored the innings, with Carl Oliver's 39 and C Beard's unbeaten 21 padding things out nicely on their side of the ledger. David Pollard, mercifully for us, never troubled the scorers and trudged off for a first-ball-adjacent nought. Thomas Beeney was the pick of our attack with 2-19, Richard Knowler chipped in with 2-36 and Sam Boyns took 1-27, while I managed two maidens of my own — not a single boundary given away lightly, even if the runs still piled up elsewhere. Meopham closed on a stern 217/8 from their 45 overs.

Chasing that lot, Will Thirkell batted beautifully for 75, well supported by Richard Knowler's 31 and Richard Piper's 26, but wickets fell around them and we stumbled to 199/9 — agonisingly short. Poor Will Thew will not thank me for recording his golden duck for posterity, but the Duck Club ledger must be kept.

Elsewhere this season, Glen Rawson sits second in the run charts with 168, and Richard Knowler second among the wicket-takers with 14 — small consolations on a day that ultimately slipped away from us by 18 runs. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Tue 26 Jun 2012 🧢 Twenty20v Sissinghurst CC · HomeformWWWLL

I lost the toss — no, wait, I won it, and for once did something sensible with the coin: put Sissinghurst in.

The lads made me look a genius early doors, prising out Neal Metcalf and Callum Fursmann without either troubling the scorers. Tim Thirkell was in inspired form, and I say that with no bias whatsoever, finishing with a magnificent 3-9 — the kind of spell that has the tea urn talking. Mark Christmas chipped away nicely too, 1-12 his reward for a tidy shift. Only Trevor Wright stood firm for the visitors, digging in for an unbeaten 30, and Sissinghurst limped to 85/7 off their twenty. Restrictive, disciplined, exactly the sort of total we like to be chasing.

And chase it we did, with minimal fuss and even less sweat. I found some form with the bat, 30 not out, and was very ably supported by Laurie Probert, who continued his fine season with 21 not out at the other end. We eased home to 86/2 in 18.2 overs, wickets and overs to spare, for an eight-wicket win.

Laurie now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 48, and Tim leads the wicket-takers with those same three scalps from Tuesday. Two points banked, thoroughly earned, and Sissinghurst sent home wondering what hit them. A proper team performance from start to finish — I shall try not to let it go to my head, though the tea was particularly good afterwards.

Sun 24 Jun 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LR Lord Raglan · HomeformLTDWL

Sunday 24 June brought Lord Raglan to Linton Park, and for once the script went entirely our way. Sent out to field, we watched their openers put on 53 for the first wicket and briefly wondered if we'd left our invitations at home, but M Aitken's 46 and useful contributions from R Turner and R Hancox never quite ran away from us. Once the middle order arrived it all rather fell apart for them — 117 for 5 became 123 for 8 in the blink of an eye, with poor Hutchinson trudging off for a duck. Martin Harris was the story of the innings, a beautifully greedy 5 for 35, with Matthew Ward chipping in 4 for 20 and Tim Thirkell picking up one for good measure. All out for 127 from their 30 overs — a total that, on this ground, on this day, was never quite enough.

Chasing it down, Mark Christmas made batting look like the easiest job in Kent, cruising to 54, and found the perfect foil in Laurie Probert, unbeaten on 43, the pair adding 71 for the second wicket to take the game away from any late drama. I contributed a hand in there too, glad to say, as we cantered home to 128 for 3 with overs to spare.

Mark Christmas now sits second in our 2012 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 97, and Matthew Ward leads the wicket-takers with 8 — form that bodes rather well. A comfortable seven-wicket win, and a thoroughly satisfying Sunday all round. Onwards indeed.

Sat 23 Jun 2012 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformDDDDD

Saturday 23 June saw Staplehurst CC roll into Linton Park, and I duly lost the toss – some traditions never die. Asked to bat first, we set about the task with more discipline than usual, closing on a handsome 198/5 from our 45 overs. Daniel Thirkell was in fluent touch for a well-made 60, and found an admirable ally in Glen Rawson (48) as the pair put on 64 for the second wicket – the innings' cornerstone. Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 44 to give the total real substance, though poor Will Thirkell will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry.

Defending 198 is always a pleasant problem to have, and Staplehurst never looked like solving it. An early wicket for just 1 on the board set the tone of a nervous chase, and though Tim Watts battled to 33 and a fourth-wicket stand added a stubborn 59, the innings collapsed from 79-4 to 86-7 as the pressure told. Paul Motum joined the club of golden ducks, and Richard Knowler was the star turn, running through the tail with a magnificent 5-17. Matthew Carter chipped in with 3-38, Will Thirkell bowled four tidy maidens, and I was happy enough to nab 1-3 in support. Staplehurst were bowled out for 106 in 38.1 overs.

A thoroughly deserved 92-run victory, and two points safely banked – the sort of afternoon that makes all those cold, wicketless Aprils worthwhile.

Sat 23 Jun 2012 🧢 2nd XIv DC Dymchurch CC · AwayformDDDDD

Captain's Log, Saturday 23rd June 2012 — Dymchurch CC, and a fixture that promised more than it delivered.

Winning the toss, I sent Dymchurch in, and for a while it looked the sort of decision that gets you a pat on the back at tea. They limped to 131/5 from their forty overs, which on paper is nothing to lose sleep over — Bradley Harper's 34 and Sam Lancaster's 29 did the heavy lifting, with Nigel Erlynne unbeaten on 24 to give the innings a tail it didn't deserve. Chris Newman was the pick of the attack with 2-11, Jack Gwynn chipped in with 2-18, Martin Harris took one, and Iain Rawson bowled with the miserly discipline of a man refusing to buy the first round, four maidens to his name.

Then we batted. Iain Cardew held the innings together with a fine 31, and I contributed 15 of my own, but around us the order rather fell apart — Jack Gwynn and Luke Welsman both departed for ducks, and the whole enterprise folded for 94. Not our finest hour with the willow, and Dymchurch will have gone home well satisfied with a 37-run win they barely had to work for.

Still, credit where due: I lead the 2nd XI run charts for the season on 268, and Martin Harris tops the wicket-takers with 10 — proof there's method somewhere beneath the madness. For now, though, it's heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sun 17 Jun 2012 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Sibton Park CC · AwayformLWLWW

I'm off to the club gazette to write this one up.

It was heads I lose, tails I lose at Sibton Park last Sunday — the coin let us down before a ball was bowled, and we found ourselves in the field. Sibton made steady progress to 165/6 from their forty, built chiefly around Steve Hickmott's unbeaten 65, with Jamie Keeler (24) and A Allon (20) chipping in dutifully. We had them 6 for 1 at one stage and thought we'd nipped it in the bud, but their last-wicket pair had other ideas, plundering an unwelcome 68 between them. Sam Boyns led our attack beautifully with 2-33, and I was pleased enough with my own 1-27 and three maidens — not a run given away lightly, whatever the final total suggested.

Chasing 166, we never quite settled. Three on the board and we'd already lost a wicket, and from there it was a familiar story of application without conversion. Stuart Cheesman held things together with a fine 34, well supported by Daniel Thirkell's 26, and I contributed 17 down the order. Poor Lewis Burnham's afternoon began and ended with a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he has our sympathy.

Amid the disappointment, some cheer: Will Thirkell brought up 100 career wickets, a landmark worth toasting, and my single scalp nudged me past Tony Gauna into 16th on the club's all-time list. Beaten by 16 runs in the end — a match we let slip rather than lost. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 17 Jun 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv GC Great Chart CC · AwayformWLTDW

Sunday 17 June 2012, and the coach pointed us towards Great Chart CC — never an easy afternoon out, and so it proved. Winning the toss, I stuck us in the field, and for a while it looked the shrewder half of the decision. Graham Prior had other ideas, easing to 60 and anchoring a stand of 64 for the third wicket, with Darren McGoldrick unbeaten on 44 and Ben Moyle chipping in 25 as their total crept to a stiff 176/5. Iain Rawson was the pick of us with the ball, 1-10 and three miserly maidens that at least kept the scoring honest, with Matthew Ward (1-15) and Michael Beeney (1-32) chipping away either side of him.

Chasing 177, we lost an early wicket with just 4 on the board and never quite shook off that nervy start. Glen Rawson batted beautifully for 49, well supported by Tim Wright's 27, but too many of the rest, myself included, contributed six wickets to the pot without troubling the scorers — Will Thew and Nick Ward both walked back for golden ducks. Nine byes past Glen's gloves summed up an afternoon where little quite went our way, though it was rather lovely that amid it all he brought up 5,000 career runs for the club — some consolation on a losing day.

We fell agonisingly short, beaten by 52 runs. Not our day, but heads up — back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sun 17 Jun 2012 🧢 Sunday 3rd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · Homeform—

Sunday saw us welcome Horton Kirby CC, and losing the toss meant a first afternoon in the field for them, not us — small mercies. Batting first, we posted a respectable 170/4 from our 40 overs, built on a proper foundation from Matthew Gladwell, whose unbeaten 53 anchored the innings beautifully, with Kevin Presneill's 45 giving it real substance. I chipped in with 40 not out myself, more grateful than glorious. David Castle and Nimal De Silva both departed for ducks, the sort of thing that happens to the best of us and, on this occasion, to them.

Defending 170 always feels a touch skinny on paper, but cricket has a way of rewarding a total that's been fought for. Horton Kirby responded with 161/8, Neil Drewer's fine 51 the obvious threat, well supported by Rob Parkin's 36 and Steve Jarvis's 31. John Treweeke and Marc Atkinson both went for ducks, and with the ball I had a rare afternoon where everything came off, finishing with 4-31. Matt Bramley-Harker (2-23) and Kishan De Silva (2-33) squeezed just as hard at the other end, and between us we kept the required rate honest all the way through.

Nine runs was the final margin — enough to have the whole side out on the boundary chewing fingernails, and enough, thankfully, to see us home. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a very pleasant drive home for the skipper.

Sat 16 Jun 2012 🧢 2nd XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformDDDDD

I win the toss on a bright June morning and, in a fit of confidence I'll regret, stick us in. Thirty-five overs and two balls later I'm wondering why: 73 all out is not a total that wins many games, even at Linton Park. Iain Rawson's 25 was the innings' one shaft of light, and I'll draw a discreet veil over the rest of the card — except to note that Tim Wright, Will Thew and Iain Cardew all contrived to walk back without troubling the scorers, three ducks in a single innings being the sort of statistical cluster that has umpires exchanging glances.

Defending 73 against Staplehurst always felt like asking a deckchair to stop a train, but the lads gave it a proper go. Darren Styles was superb, 2 for 9 and full value for his season's wicket haul, while Martin Harris strangled the scoring with two tidy maidens. I chipped in with 19 with the bat but not much with the ball, and it wasn't nearly enough support for the bowlers. Sam McConnel, 33 not out, and Ryan Chandler, 27, batted us out of it calmly and without fuss, and the visitors coasted home in 23.1 overs for the loss of two.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no arguing with it — you don't defend 73 very often, and we didn't today. Chin up, nets on Tuesday, and back to Staplehurst's task next week: score some runs first.

Sat 16 Jun 2012 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformDDDDD

Saturday 16 June found us on the road to Marden CC, deep in the Kent countryside, and for once the coin obliged me kindly. I called it right and, with a pitch that looked to hold a bit for the bowlers, elected to field first — a decision that, happily, needed no defending afterwards.

Marden never really got going. Wickets fell in a heap — Richard Brewer, Ben Tomkinson and Sam Courtley all trudging back without troubling the scorers — and only Richard Fulford, with a battling 27, gave their innings any shape at all. They were bowled out for 52 in 22.1 overs, a scoreline that flattered nobody but us. I found some rhythm with the ball and kept finding the edges, finishing with 7 for 15 and two maidens thrown in for good measure — a five-for and then some, and I shan't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with myself. Will Thirkell chipped in nicely too, with 2 for 9 at the other end.

Chasing 52 is rarely quite as tidy as it looks on paper, and true to form we lost our first wicket cheaply, with the score on 2 for 1, before Daniel Thirkell steadied things with a fine 23 to see us home at 55 for 3 in 17.3 overs.

Daniel now tops our 2012 run charts with 141, and I find myself leading the wicket-takers on 17 — modesty forbids further comment, so I'll simply say: a fine win by seven wickets, and long may it continue.

Sun 10 Jun 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC · HomeformLWLTD

Lost the toss again on Sunday — I'm starting to think the club coin is cursed — and Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow duly stuck us in. We shuffled to 159/9 from our forty overs, a total that owed almost everything to Trevor Back's excellent 43 and David Castle's steady 36 in support. Matthew Gladwell and Nimal De Silva both contributed what the scorebook politely calls a golden duck, which is one way of saying they left before the tea urn had properly boiled.

Defending 159 always feels like walking a tightrope in whites, but the lads found their footing. The visitors lost their first wicket for just a single run, which was promising, though Tom Roberts (42) and a handy stand of 56 for the second wicket threatened to make a mockery of our morning's work. Barry Roles (25) and Simon Tombs (24) chipped in too, and poor Benjamin Taylor joined the ducks' club without troubling the scorers.

I'll confess to one moment of personal satisfaction — I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 3-23, which nicely keeps me atop the Sunday 2nd XI wicket charts. Tim Wright (2-28) and Tim Thirkell (1-29) chipped away either end, while Michael Beeney bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the last biscuit, three maidens and all.

We got over the line by 23 runs. A scrappy, nervy, thoroughly enjoyable win — exactly the sort club cricket is made for.

Sat 09 Jun 2012 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWDDDD

Saturday 9th June saw us pitch up at Sheldwich, lose the toss, and be invited to bat first on what I'd like to say was a shrewd tactical decision by the opposition but was probably just the coin. We wobbled early, a single run on the board when the first wicket fell, and for a moment I feared the worst — visions of tea being served rather earlier than planned. But Daniel Thirkell settled things beautifully with a well-crafted 68, and once he and Craig Sands (41) had put on 60 for the third wicket, the innings found its rhythm. I chipped in with an unbeaten 39 down the order to help us up to a handsome 227 for 5 from our 45 overs. Only poor Will Thirkell had a day to forget with the bat, back in the pavilion for nought and duly inducted into the Duck Club.

Defending 227 is always a pleasant problem to have, and the lads made light work of it. Sheldwich never got going, losing David Shelley and Ron Brown without either troubling the scorers, and James Creed's 30 proved a lone bright spot in a chase that never really was one. Will Thirkell was magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 4 for 2, while I picked up 2 for 24 and Thomas Beeney weighed in with 1 for 5; Sam Boyns squeezed the innings dry with two maidens. All out for 98 in 36 overs told its own story. A quiet personal landmark for me too, in passing 400 career wickets along the way.

A 129-run victory, two points banked, and a day that asked an early question of us before answering it emphatically. We'll take that all season long.

Sat 09 Jun 2012 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformWDDDD

Sidcup CC came to Linton Park on a fine June Saturday, and if you'd offered me a draw at the toss I'd have bitten your hand off — though I didn't know that at the time, which is probably for the best, as I'd have spent all day chewing my nails instead of watching the cricket.

Batting first, we huffed and puffed our way to 132 all out from 39 overs, a total that felt like scaling a modest hill in full whites. I managed 26 myself, with Adam Wright (22) and Kevin Presneill (22) doing the heavy lifting alongside me. Less gloriously, Ray Dixon and Matt Bramley-Harker both made the long walk back for ducks — the traditional club fine tin will be rattling this week.

With the ball, we set about repairing the damage. Sidcup wobbled early at 7 for 1, and when Ross Perkins joined the ranks of the ducks I allowed myself a quiet smile. But Jack Deadman (37) and Hugh Beresford-Webb (27) shared a stand of 66 that threatened to bat us out of it entirely, before Michael Beeney turned in a magnificent 4 for 22, backed up by Martin Harris (2-34) and Joshua Knowler (1-21), while Darren Styles bowled like a man with a personal grudge against the scoreboard, four maidens and not a run given away cheaply. Sidcup closed on 96 for 9.

Honours shared, then — a draw, and probably a fair one. Kevin Presneill continues to lead our run charts for the season with 234, and Martin Harris tops the wicket pile with 9. A day where nobody quite won, but nobody quite lost either — which, in this game, is sometimes its own small triumph.

Wed 06 Jun 2012 🧢 Anniversary XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformLD

He lost the toss, chased anyway in spirit, and here's the tale of Wednesday's honours-shared thriller.

Won the toss? No. Asked to bowl, more like told to, and we duly trooped out with the ball first against Dummy Site at home. Their innings rumbled on to 171 all out, built almost entirely around a- Cornwallis, who ground out 92 not out with the sort of patience that makes tea taste sweeter, ushered along by Claire Taylor's tidy 21. We did our bit in reply though — G O Wedderburn, H Spain-Warner and E Shires all trudged off for ducks, undone by a Linton Park attack that had its tail up. And what a tail: Tim Wright was the story of the day, a magnificent 5-24 that any bowler would frame and hang in the clubhouse loo. Richard Knowler chipped away at 1-15 with two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and Tim Thirkell weighed in with 1-25.

Chasing 172, David Castle set about it properly for 42, well supported by Will Thew's fluent 35, while I contributed a modest 18 from the captain's usual position of trying to look busier than I actually was. We fell short at 152/8, but not for want of trying.

So — honours shared, a draw, and frankly a fair result: their runs against our wickets, and not a soul left disappointed on the walk back to the pavilion. Wright's five-for is the pick of the season so far, and Castle's knock keeps him climbing the charts nicely. All told, a proper afternoon of village cricket — nobody won, but nobody really lost either.

Tue 05 Jun 2012 🧢 Anniversary XIv BC Band of Brothers CC · HomeformL

Tuesday, 5 June saw Band of Brothers CC roll up to Linton Park, and the coin — as it so often does when I'm the one flipping it — betrayed me instantly, sending us in to bat first while the visitors trotted off to field.

What followed was a proper display of application, even if the top of the order needed a moment to find its bearings. Poor Will Thew departed without troubling the scorers, out for a duck before he'd had time to admire the outfield, but from there the innings settled beautifully. Richard Piper played the anchor role to good effect with 40, I contributed a watchful 33 in support, and then Daniel Thirkell simply refused to get out, cruising past his fifty and finishing unbeaten on a magnificent 87 to drag us to 230/7 from our 53.4 overs — comfortably the innings' defining knock, and enough to see him sitting proudly atop our 2012 Anniversary XI run charts.

Whether it was the heat, good sense, or simply two sides too evenly matched to force the issue, neither team could find a way through in the field, and honours were shared at the close.

A draw is rarely the stuff of legend, but there was plenty to enjoy here — a rescue act with the bat, a captain doing his bit in the middle order, and Thirkell reminding us all why he opens the bowling figures for the season. Verdict: no losers today, and on a sunny Tuesday against Band of Brothers, that'll do nicely.

Mon 04 Jun 2012 🧢 Anniversary XIv IS Invicta League Rep Side · Homeform—

I certainly won't apologise for electing to field — putting Invicta Rep Side in was the right call, even if I say so myself, and for a while it looked positively shrewd. A rocky start for the visitors, seven on the board and a wicket down, gave us hope of an early rout, but James Creed (42) and Jordan Austin (35) put together a stand of 83 that rather took the wind out of our sails. Thomas Beeney bowled beautifully throughout for 2-19, with Matthew Carter and Martin Harris chipping in a wicket apiece, and there was even a moment of pure theatre when Chris Curran departed for a golden duck. Simon Phipps's unbeaten 28 nudged them to a healthy 155/4 from their 25 overs — competitive, but not, we felt, insurmountable.

Insurmountable it proved. I got us off to a solid enough start with 33 — my one contribution to proceedings, and I'll leave it there before I bore you with it twice — but 90 for 6 became 104 for 9 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces. All out for 104 in 24.4 overs, beaten by 51 runs, and no amount of creative scorekeeping will dress that up as anything other than a good old-fashioned Linton wobble.

There was, at least, one moment to raise a genuinely proud pint to: Thomas Beeney brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark far more durable than our middle order. He leads our wicket charts for the season and I find myself, rather sheepishly, top of the run charts on the back of one modest 33. We'll be better for it next week — we'd rather struggle to be worse.

Sun 03 Jun 2012 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday 03 June 2012 didn't start well for me at the toss — Bidborough won the call and put us in, never the vote of confidence a captain wants first thing on a Sunday. Still, the lads soon banished any thought that bowling first was the shrewd move. Daniel Thirkell and Stuart Cheesman both made 45 apiece, Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 43, and a lovely stand of 62 for the fourth wicket set the tone nicely. Even our extras column got in on the act with 48, practically an all-rounder in its own right, as we closed on a handsome 239 for 4 from our 40 overs.

Defending that sort of total is the pleasant end of captaincy, and so it proved. Bidborough never got going, subsiding to 119 all out in 32.4 overs — Pat Rossiter's 37 and Charlie Harding's 22 the only real resistance before the middle and lower order went in a heap, 103 for 6 becoming 110 for 9 in a flurry of wickets, poor Dale Hillhouse departing without troubling the scorers. Will Thirkell did the real damage with 3 for 16, well supported by Matthew Carter and Stuart Cheesman. It keeps me handily placed second in this season's Sunday wicket charts, some way behind Craig Sands, who leads the run-scoring standings in fine style.

A red-letter day besides, with Daniel Thirkell raising his bat for 12,000 career runs in Linton Park colours — a landmark few of us will ever get near. A fine win by 120 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfactory way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Onwards.

Sat 02 Jun 2012 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDWDDD

From the captain's chair — a rare Saturday when everything just clicked at West Farleigh CC.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first, and for once the decision looked positively inspired rather than a coin-flip guess. We piled up 257 for 7 from our 45 overs, the innings built on a proper platform — 32 extras suggests the West Farleigh attack was as generous as the June sunshine. Tim Wright made a fine 53, Iain Rawson stroked an unbeaten 50, and I was fortunate enough to find some form myself with 67, which I'll modestly describe as the innings of the day and leave it there. Spare a thought for poor Adam Wright, whose duck will not trouble the highlights reel, but with runs flowing everywhere else nobody much minded.

Defending 257 always feels like a tidy afternoon's work, and so it proved. West Farleigh fought hard through Surinder Karanan's unbeaten fifty and 37 from Paul Baines, but never threatened to chase down what was in front of them, finishing 150 for 7. Darren Styles was magnificent with the ball — 2 for 20 including four maidens, tight enough to squeeze the life out of any partnership — with Martin Harris (2-23) and Iain Rawson (1-23) chipping in handsomely. My afternoon behind the stumps was rather less polished, 9 byes conceded reminding me that glovework is not where my talents lie.

A 107-run victory, two points banked, and my 67 nudges me to the top of the 2nd XI run charts for the season. All told, a thoroughly satisfying day's cricket — the sort that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter.

Sat 02 Jun 2012 🧢 1st XIv Boughton & Eastwell CC · HomeformLWDDD

Following our win over the visitors, I elected to field first — the right call, I felt, and one that paid off nicely.

Boughton & Eastwell CC were put in and never quite found their rhythm, crawling to 127 for 9 from their 45 overs. Joe Rogers battled to 43 at the top, but around him wickets tumbled steadily — poor Simon Aylott trudged off for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers, which is always a small mercy for a fielding side's morale. Will Thirkell was the chief architect of the collapse, a fine 3 for 16, with Matthew Carter (2 for 17, including three tight maidens) and Sam Boyns (1 for 17) squeezing the singles out of them at the other end. Not a run given away lightly all afternoon.

Set 128 to win, we made comfortably light work of it, cruising to 130 for 3 in 33.2 overs. Daniel Thirkell anchored the chase beautifully, unbeaten on 50, with brother Will following up his bowling with 43 of the bat — the Thirkells doing rather more than their fair share of the day's work between them. I chipped in with the ball earlier, which keeps me handily placed atop the 1st XI wicket charts with 8 for the season, while Stuart Cheesman continues his own quiet campaign, now second in the run charts on 90.

A fine win by 7 wickets, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket. Onwards.

Thu 31 May 2012 🧢 Twenty20v Marden CC, Kent · AwayformWWWWL

Beaten at Marden, and if I'm honest we probably knew it in our bones the moment I called correctly at the toss on Thursday and decided to field. It seemed the sensible move at the time — runs on the board can be chased, we told ourselves — but Marden had other ideas, cantering to 158/3 off their twenty overs. Joshua Knowler did his level best to keep the champagne on ice, snaring 2-28 with the ball, but three unbroken partnerships (Sunnucks 33 not out, Courtley 32 not out, Tomkinson 31 not out) rather took the sting out of our afternoon.

Chasing 159, we made a decent fist of it without ever quite threatening. Laurie Probert battled to 27, Ryan Boyns chipped in with 20, but wickets fell at the other end with the regularity of a Kent level crossing, and we stumbled to 127/9 from our twenty. Spare a thought, too, for poor Joshua Knowler, who followed his sterling bowling with a golden duck — a cruel twist even by this club's standards, and one the ledger will not let him forget in a hurry.

So it's Probert who tops our 2012 Twenty20 run charts and Knowler our wicket charts, for what modest comfort that brings. We fell 31 runs short in the end, beaten fair and square by the better side on the day. Chins up, though — there's cricket yet to be played, and we'll be considerably better for this next week.

Sun 27 May 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · HomeformWLWLT

Skipper's Log — Sunday 27 May 2012

Lost the toss, put in the field, and settled in for a long one against Sissinghurst. Mick Winner had other ideas, ghosting past us to an unbeaten 114, the sort of innings that makes you wonder why you bothered polishing your boots that morning. Mike Burgess chipped in with a watchful 32 not out, and between the two of them they steered Sissinghurst to a healthy 199 for 3 off their 41 overs. Credit where it's due — Tim Thirkell toiled manfully for 1-27, with Matthew Ward and Gareth Davies each picking up a wicket apiece to stop the total getting completely out of hand.

Chasing 200, we made a decent fist of it. Trevor Back was the class act, cruising past fifty to 67, well supported by Matthew Ward's unbeaten 27 and a tidy 23 from Nimal De Silva. As for your correspondent, I'll spare myself the gory detail beyond noting a golden duck — the sort of innings best filed under "character building" and never spoken of again. We closed on 187 for 7 from our 42, agonisingly short of the target with wickets still in hand.

Up the season's table, Trevor Back continues to lead the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 86, and Tim Thirkell the wicket charts with 3 — both men rather more reliable than their captain.

So: honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Not a bad afternoon's cricket, all told — even if one of us contributed rather more nothing than something.

Sun 27 May 2012 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWWWD

Sunday 27 May 2012, away at Bearsted CC, and for once the coin actually liked me – I called correctly and had no hesitation in putting us in. Jordan Austin and Warren Jackson gave us exactly the start a captain dreams of and rarely gets, the openers piling on 99 before either fell, and both went on to well-made fifties, 58 and 51 respectively. Will Thew chipped in with 51 of his own, I managed a workmanlike 23, and we declared our innings closed at a handsome 241/4 from the full 40 overs.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it proved. Bearsted stumbled early at 7-1 and never really found their feet, Piers Cottee Jones's battling 37 the only real resistance. Thomas Beeney was superb with the ball, 3-33, backed up admirably by Michael Beeney (3-41) and Mark Christmas (2-11), and the innings folded for 129 in 36.2 overs. I'll admit our 8 byes suggest the gloves had a testing afternoon behind the stumps – a word with the wicketkeeper may be required.

Off the field, Laurie Probert brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, and Mark Christmas's brace nudged him past Dave Todd into 17th on our all-time wicket-takers list. Handsome milestones on a handsome day. A fine win by 112 runs – onwards indeed.

Sat 26 May 2012 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLDWDD

Presneill delighted us — a rank turner and a rain-shortened chase, then a masterclass from Root and Buttler.

Hold on — none of that appears in the actual match facts. Let me write the real report.

Well, we lost the toss on a bright Saturday and were duly asked to have a bowl, which given the pitch and the West Farleigh openers' evident intentions felt a touch optimistic on their part but there we are. William Norman and Andrew Salmon settled in and simply refused to leave, both retiring not out on their half-centuries as the total climbed to 204/6 from 45 overs — and their last pair, cheek of it, added a further 91 we could frankly have done without. Michael Beeney was the pick of our attack with 3-27, Martin Harris chipped in with 2-38, Chris Newman took one, and Darren Styles squeezed out three maidens without conceding a run lightly. Chris Mckellow and David Brown went for ducks, which was some small consolation.

Chasing 205 is never a formality, but David Castle and I put on 126 for the second wicket to take the sting out of it early, and I was pleased to lead from the front with 75 before Richard Knowler saw us home unbeaten on 28 — and in doing so brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and one I suspect he'll enjoy more than any of us realise just yet. We finished on 207/3 with overs to spare.

A fine win by seven wickets, then, built on Norman and Salmon's generosity being cancelled out by our bowlers' discipline and a batting effort with real substance in the middle order. Onwards.

Sat 26 May 2012 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformDLWDD

The toss fell my way at Milstead, and I elected to field first — a decision I'll happily take credit for, as it turned out rather well. Milstead huffed and puffed their way to 112/9 from their 45 overs, losing an early wicket to leave things wobbling from the off, before Mike Sellar (26), Paul Nicholls (24) and S Puttu (20) dragged them to something resembling respectability with a stand of 55 for the fourth wicket. But the middle and lower order simply couldn't cope — 96 became 107 for the loss of three quick wickets, with Richard Cusworth, Michael Yates and Ben Ryder all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. I had one of those afternoons where everything comes off the middle of the ball, finishing with 5-24, while Stuart Cheesman (3-23) and the wonderfully economical Sam Boyns (1-6, seven maidens — the sort of spell that makes captaincy easy) squeezed the life out of the innings.

Chasing 113, we made harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might, slipping to 3-1 early doors before Stuart Cheesman took the game by the scruff of the neck with a fine 57, well supported by Richard Piper's 20, the pair adding a crucial 82 for the second wicket. Eleven byes down the leg side made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for Glen Rawson, though he leads our run charts for the season with 100, so no lasting harm done.

We got home by six wickets, and with 7 wickets now to my name in the 2012 charts, I shan't pretend I'm not rather pleased with myself. A good day for the club, all told.

Sun 20 May 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Borstal CC · HomeformLWLWL

Captain's Log — Sunday 20 May 2012. Borstal CC at home, and the coin let me down again — they had first use of the pitch.

Bit of a rollercoaster with the bat, this one. We rattled along nicely enough to post 136/8 from our 40 overs, though "nicely" is doing some heavy lifting given we lost a wicket with just 2 on the board and then, astonishingly, went from 2-1 to 9-4 before most of us had found our rhythm — three ducks in there for the Duck Club ledger, so a few of the lads owe the tea urn a wide berth this week. It took David Castle, unbeaten on a thoroughly well-made 58, and a gutsy 63-run stand for the 8th wicket to drag us back to something respectable, with Nick Ward's 26 and my own 24 chipping in along the way.

In the field we dug in and defended manfully, restricting Borstal to 136 all out from 38.4 overs — level pegging almost to the ball. Frani O'Neill led their reply with 33, backed up by Miles Huppatz's 24, but Michael Beeney was outstanding with the ball, snaring 2-20, while I picked up 2-37 and Matthew Ward chipped in with one. Richard Taylor departed for a golden duck at our hands, small consolation for eight byes that told their own tale about a testing day behind the stumps for David Castle.

And so it ended: a tie. Dead level after a full day's honest toil — cricket doing what cricket does best, refusing to give either side the satisfaction.

Sun 20 May 2012 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Speldhurst CC · AwayformLWLWL

There are worse ways to spend a Sunday than losing the toss and being sent out to field first — actually, no, there are very few worse ways, and I said as much to the lads as we trudged out at Speldhurst. But cricket has a habit of humbling the confident and rewarding the resigned, and so it proved.

With bat in hand we ground out a very respectable 171 for 7 from our forty overs, Craig Sands top-scoring with a tidy 33, well backed up by Will Thirkell's 25. Special mention, as ever, to the extras column — 60 of the blighters, which either speaks to some wayward Speldhurst bowling or our own generous sense of hospitality. Either way, we banked the runs.

Defending it, we bowled with real discipline. Sam Boyns was the pick of the attack, hustling through 4 for 14, and I managed to find some rhythm myself, chipping in with 3 for 36 — I'll allow myself the one mention of that, thank you very much. Stuart Cheesman took a couple more, and Matthew Carter simply refused to be scored off, sending down four maidens. Ben Durling's 46 and Paul W Eames's 24 gave Speldhurst hope, and their sixth-wicket stand of 56 threatened to spoil the afternoon, but 138 all out was as far as they got.

Two points, 33 runs to spare, and — I'm reliably informed — a nudge up the club's all-time wicket-takers list for yours truly. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday after all.

Sat 19 May 2012 🧢 2nd XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLDWD

Saturday last took us down to Staplehurst, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in sticking us into the field — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself handsomely. Staplehurst huffed and puffed their way to 148 all out from 45 overs, Ryan Chandler batting with real stubbornness for his 42 not out and Trevor Wratten chipping in with 32, but beyond that there wasn't a great deal to trouble the scorebook — three of their number, Trevor Cardon, Gez Saunders and Oli Henson, trudged off for ducks. Martin Harris was the chief tormentor with a fine 3-14, well backed up by Joshua Knowler's 3-19, while Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, 2-17 and three maidens to show that not a run was given away lightly.

Chasing 149, we made rather serene work of it, cruising home on 150 for 3 from 43.1 overs. I'll admit to some quiet satisfaction in leading from the front with 70 not out, and I had excellent company — Nigel Thirkell unbeaten on 40 and Joshua Knowler chipping in a breezy 24 further down the order. Up on the season table I now sit atop the 2nd XI run charts, with Knowler doing the same among the wicket-takers — greedy fellow, wanting both bat and ball.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, then, and precisely the sort of afternoon that makes the long drive to Staplehurst worthwhile. Onwards we go.

Sat 19 May 2012 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWDLWD

Beaten again by the toss on Saturday, and Headcorn's decision to field left us with the whole day to make something of a good pitch. We managed 132/8 from our 45 overs, propped up handsomely by Glen Rawson, unbeaten on 55 and playing the innings of a captain's dreams, with Craig Sands chipping in a fine 37 alongside him — the pair adding 66 for the third wicket when it mattered most. Then, as is our custom, the middle order decided to make things interesting, and we slid from a comfortable 106-3 to a distinctly less comfortable 119-6, poor Will Thew departing without troubling the scorers at all.

With the ball we scrapped hard. Headcorn crept to 119-5 and we sensed blood, sending back Mangold, Munro and Mansell all without a run between them — three ducks for the price of one, a collector's set. Richard Knowler was superb, 3-21 with three tidy maidens, well supported by Sam Boyns (2-25) and Will Thirkell (1-18), though Thirkell had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, shipping eight byes for his troubles.

There was at least one thing to celebrate: Craig Sands's 37 nudged him past Brian Piper into ninth on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine bit of history-making on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Headcorn edged home by two wickets in the end. A game we should have won and didn't — but with Rawson in this sort of form and Knowler steaming in, we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 13 May 2012 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv XM XII Men · HomeformLLWLW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 13 May 2012. Dummy Site the visitors, sun out, kettle on, and a fine turnout of hope from the boys.

Put in to field first, we made a fair fist of it. R Cooper gave us a proper working-over on his way to 40, with Matthew Tombs (36) and H McDonald (23) chipping in to haul them to 173/7 off their 45. But it wasn't all one-way traffic — Tim Thirkell was in inspired form, snaring 2-15, while Joshua Knowler and Mark Christmas both weighed in with two apiece. Special mention for Knowler's four maidens — the sort of relentless, joyless accuracy that makes batsmen mutter into their gloves.

Chasing 174, we never quite got going. Mark Christmas played the innings of the day, 43 well-crafted runs, with Matthew Gladwell (38) offering fine support. After that, alas, the wheels came off rather spectacularly — Joshua Knowler, Matthew Ward and Tim Thirkell all contributed ducks, three golden nothings in a row that no amount of tea and sympathy could disguise. All out for 146 in the 41st.

So it's Christmas atop the run charts and Knowler leading the wickets as our season ledger stands — small consolations on a day that ultimately slipped away by 27 runs. Not our day, lads. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — Dummy Site have the bragging rights this time, but there's cricket yet to be played.

Sat 12 May 2012 🧢 1st XIv BC Betsham CC · HomeformLWDLW

Betsham CC rolled up on the 12th of May and, having lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season, I dispatched us into bat rather than field. We limped and lurched to 148/9 off our 45 — a total that flattered to deceive at times, particularly when 82/2 became 96/5 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain reach for the biscuit tin. Glen Rawson led the way with a fine 43, Stuart Cheesman chipped in 30, Kevin Presneill 28, and their 58-run second-wicket stand was the spine of the innings. Less gloriously, Richard Knowler and Thomas Beeney both walked back for ducks — the Duck Club ledger duly updated 🦆 — but a word of real pride: Stuart Cheesman brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, a mantelpiece moment if ever there was one 🎉.

With the ball, we were rather better than we had any right to be. Betsham subsided to 105 all out in 42.5 overs, Sam Willis's 21 the highlight of a chase that fell apart from 70/3 to 81/6 with almost indecent haste. Chris Heath, Ian Stickels and Steve Whitfield all departed without troubling the scorers, giving the Duck Club a second sitting 🦆. Richard Knowler was superb with 3-12, well supported by Thomas Beeney's 3-19 and Will Thirkell's 1-4, while Matthew Carter bowled four maidens of pure parsimony. Poor Mark Christmas had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 9 byes testament to some lively deliveries.

A scrappy batting effort redeemed by a ruthless bowling display — two points, 43 runs to the good, and thoroughly earned.