🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 27 Sep 2014 🧢 1st XIv KK Kennington CC, Kent · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday 27th September, and a warm and showery afternoon greeted us for the visit of Kennington CC, Kent. Winning the toss, I elected to field — and for once I shall permit myself a small pat on the back, for the right call it proved to be.

Kennington posted 153 for 9 from their forty overs, built largely around Chris Drakeley's watchful 58 not out and useful support from David Finch's 25. The rest of their order found less joy against us: John Cunningham and Oliver Matthews both departed without so much as a nudge off the mark. With the ball, Martin Harris was the pick of the attack with 2 for 17, well backed up by Joshua Knowler's 2 for 18 and the ever-parsimonious Tim Thirkell, whose 1 for 15 (with two maidens thrown in for good measure) told its own tale of discipline.

Chasing 154, we strolled home at 154 for 1 in 26.4 overs, James Piper the architect with a superb 73 not out, ushered along by Richard Piper's 28 and Will Thirkell's unbeaten 27 — extras chipping in a generous 26 besides. Rather splendidly, James's innings also brought up 6,000 career runs for the club and lifted him past Jim Hall into 25th on our all-time run-scorers' list — no small feat, and toasted accordingly in the bar afterwards.

A comfortable nine-wicket victory, then, and a thoroughly pleasant way to spend a showery Saturday. Onwards we go.

Sun 21 Sep 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformLWWWW

Sunday 21 September found us on the road to Tenterden, under skies of that particular English grey that promises rain and never quite delivers it. I won the toss and, with the usual reckless optimism of a captain who fancies his top order, stuck us in.

It proved a fair shout. Glen Rawson anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 56, with Daniel Thirkell and James Piper both chipping in useful 28s around him, and I managed a tidy 28 of my own. Poor Richard Piper will want to forget his golden duck, but a generous 29 extras helped paper over the cracks as we closed on 181/7 from 45.2 overs — a total with something to bowl at.

And bowl we did, for a while. Darrell Houghton-Judge was pick of the attack with 2-26, well supported by Martin Harris's 1-34, while Will Thirkell fairly parsimonious with five maidens, and we did at least have Guy Day back in the hutch without scoring. But James Allen made merry with an unbeaten 58, ushered along by Tim Russell's polished fifty and Mark Kokkinos's 42, and Tenterden strolled home on 182/3 with overs to spare. Daniel Thirkell had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 20 byes going begging.

Elsewhere, James Piper continues to top our Sunday run charts with 259 for the season, and Martin Harris sits third among the wicket-takers with 14. But today belonged to Tenterden: beaten by seven wickets, we live to fight another Sunday.

Sat 20 Sep 2014 🧢 1st XIv NC Northfleet CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday 20 September 2014, and we welcomed Northfleet CC on an afternoon that was warm but thoroughly soggy underfoot — the sort of pitch where you win the toss and try to look decisive rather than lucky. I called correctly and elected to bat, and for once the decision looked as good three hours later as it did at the time.

Christopher Thirkell was in majestic touch, striking 94 to anchor the innings almost to three figures, with Will Thirkell (43) and Joshua Knowler (35 not out) lending sturdy support. The openers gave us the platform any captain dreams of, putting on 65 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, and we eventually declared our efforts at a formidable 240/5 from 36 overs.

Defending that sort of total is, frankly, the easy part of captaincy, and the lads made light work of it. Northfleet's P Painter (27), Geoff Goodwin (20) and D Bailey (20) offered the only real resistance before the innings simply unravelled — 73/5 became 86/8 in the blink of an eye, with John Sebastian, M Sayed and Geoff Boddington all departing without troubling the scorers. Darrell Houghton-Judge was magnificent, claiming 5-23 for a fully deserved five-for, with Tim Thirkell (3-9) and Nat Presneill (1-3) chipping in, Tim Wright bowling three miserly maidens, and even the skipper managing three of his own. Northfleet were bowled out for 90 in 35.3 overs.

A special mention, too, for Richard Piper, who marked his 600th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark worth far more than the runs he added. Two points, won by 150 runs: emphatic, thoroughly earned, and a rare afternoon when everything I touched turned to gold.

Wed 17 Sep 2014 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWLLLL

Warm and overcast at Penshurst Park, and for once the toss went my way — bat first, no argument from me, and no regrets either.

Two hundred and two for six from our forty overs was a proper score for the conditions. James Piper played the innings of the day, 62 to the good, with Joshua Knowler unbeaten on 48 in support and Tim Wright chipping in a tidy 21. Even the extras got in on the act with 36 — practically an all-rounder in their own right. I managed 62 myself, which I'll admit felt rather satisfying, though I shall try to say that without smirking.

With the ball, Penshurst gave it a fair go — Graham Nicholls made a fine 55, Albert Ray weighed in with 34 — but Stuart Cheesman had other ideas, tearing through them with 4 for 27, well backed by Sam Boyns (2-23) and a wicket apiece for James Piper (1-4). All out for 172 in 37.4 overs, and the job was done: victory by 30 runs.

A special word for Trevor Back, who brought up his 700th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark that rather puts the rest of our efforts into perspective. Piper leads our season's run charts, Boyns the wickets, and both added to their tallies today.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a very pleasant drive home.

Sun 14 Sep 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 14th September saw Cobham CC roll into Linton Park under a damp but not unpleasant sky, and I duly lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season. They elected to bat, which at least spared me the indignity of having to explain a decision to the lads.

Cobham ground their way to 188 for 6 off their forty, propelled mainly by Adam Kidd's well-crafted 52, with Stewart Kidd (33) and an unbeaten 30 from Elliot Marshall filling in the gaps. Martin Harris was the pick of our attack by some distance, ripping through with 3 for 25, while Joshua Knowler (2-42) and Will Thirkell (1-25) chipped in dutifully. Daniel Thirkell, meanwhile, was the picture of parsimony with two maidens — a man clearly not in the mood for charity.

Chasing 189, we made surprisingly serene work of it, romping home on 192 for 4 with over two overs to spare. Glen Rawson led from the front with a classy 67, and I'll allow myself a quiet pat on the back for a personal 63 alongside him — Will Thirkell's unbeaten 26 saw us over the line in style, though his 15 byes suggested the poor lad had rather a testing afternoon behind the stumps. Worth noting too that Glen's innings nudged him past Stan Wratten into 18th on the all-time run charts — quiet history being made between the tea urn and the boundary rope.

A fine win by six wickets, then. Onwards.

Sat 13 Sep 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWLWWL

Beaten by 73 runs at Meopham on the 13th, but not without a decent tussle before the wheels came off.

I called it right at the toss and, with the sun out and the pitch looking full of runs, fancied our chances in the field. Meopham had other ideas, rattling along to 207/8 from their 45 overs. Jack Dickety led the charge with a well-crafted 65, backed up by Alex Bryant (34) and Mick Clark (24), while our bowling attack at least kept us in the contest — Tim Thirkell superb with 3-28, and Tim Wright (2-32) and Martin Harris (2-37) chipping in nicely alongside him.

Chasing 208 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved as we folded for 134 in 42 overs. Martin Harris top-scored with a battling 25, well supported by Tim Thirkell's 24, but the middle order rather went missing — spare a thought for Darrell Houghton-Judge and Tobey Castle, both undertaking that lonely walk back for a duck. Extras did their bit with 32, which tells its own story about the state of our stroke play, and 15 byes conceded behind the stumps did nobody's blood pressure any favours. I managed a workmanlike 18 myself.

One shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Tim Thirkell brought up 300 career wickets, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded by all. David Castle continues to sit second in the 2nd XI run charts with 393, and Martin Harris leads the wicket-takers with 16 — the season's silver linings doing sterling work.

Verdict: outbowled in patches, outbatted in full — we'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 07 Sep 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Herne CC · HomeformLLWWW

Sunday 7 September, and Herne CC arrived to a pleasant, drizzly afternoon that felt distinctly like cricket weather ought to feel. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, and I shall be reminding everyone of that for weeks.

We made a rollicking start, Tim Wright and Jack Gwynn putting on 61 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came, Wright top-scoring with a fine 45 and Gwynn chipping in a handy 22. From there, alas, the innings rather unravelled and we were bowled out for 144 in 39.1 overs — a total that felt light even as we walked off.

And so it proved. Herne's Kashif Anwer, having stumbled to 4-1 early on, rebuilt with Mark Richardson to add a crucial 105 for the second wicket and cruised to 76, well past his fifty, as they cantered to 145/4 in 27.5 overs. Tim Thirkell did what damage he could (2-25), with Dave Todd (1-11) and Wright (1-24, plus two tidy maidens) chipping away, but it wasn't quite enough — poor Mark Gibson departed without troubling the scorers.

Wright's all-round industry keeps him third in the 2nd XI run charts and top of the wicket pile this season, which is scant consolation for a five-wicket defeat. Not our day, lads — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 07 Sep 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv NC Norton Sports CC · AwayformWWLWW

Sunday 7th September saw us make the trip to Norton Sports CC, under skies that could only be described as apologetically drizzly. The toss went against us, and we were sent out to field first — never my favourite start to an afternoon, but there are worse fates than an early bowl on English soil.

With the bat we posted a respectable 163 for 5 off our forty overs, built on a fine half-century from Will Thirkell (56) and steadied further by James Piper, who batted through to finish unbeaten on 50. A total that felt useful without being spectacular — the kind you set and then quietly hope is enough.

As it turned out, it was more than enough. Our bowlers turned in a performance of real menace, skittling Norton for just 50 in 21.5 overs. Thomas Beeney was superb with 3 for 15, well backed up by Darrell Houghton-Judge's miserly 2 for 2 and Martin Harris's 2 for 10, while Will Thirkell chipped in with a couple of maidens for good measure. Three unfortunate Norton batsmen departed for ducks along the way, with only Sam Arnold's 20 offering any real resistance. I confess a personal contribution of 50 with the bat was rather satisfying too, and with Mark Christmas and Thomas Beeney continuing to lead the season's run and wicket charts respectively, the form lines are looking healthy.

We ran out winners by a thumping 113 runs. A drizzly afternoon, a soggy outfield, and a very good day indeed for the club.

Sat 06 Sep 2014 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWWWWW

Off strike we go — a warm, drizzly Saturday, Sheldwich the visitors, and me winning the toss with the sort of decisiveness that usually deserts me at the bar. I elected to bat, and for once the gamble repaid itself handsomely. Daniel Thirkell simply refused to get out, carrying his bat to an imperious 170 not out, while James Piper chipped in with a classy 61 to give us a second-wicket stand of 138 that did most of the damage. Poor Ryan Boyns will want the scorebook burned — a golden duck amid all that plenty — but 276 for 4 from our 45 overs was a total to make the tea urn tremble.

Defending it should have been the easy part, and so it proved, if not without alarm. Bertie O'Brien counter-attacked handsomely for 64 and Martin Mills added a stout 26, but once Alex Roe and David Shelley departed without scoring, the innings had the look of a house of cards in a breeze. Thomas Beeney was superb, 3 for 26, with Matthew Carter and Edward Bridle both among the wickets and Tim Thirkell fielding maidens like a man collecting stamps. Sheldwich were all out for 168.

A red-letter day off the field too — Daniel Thirkell reaching 14,000 career runs, and Beeney climbing past Terry Donovan into 21st on the all-time wicket list. Victory by 108 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and, dare I say it, for the captain's judgement.

Sat 06 Sep 2014 🧢 2nd XIv BC Betsham CC · AwayformLWLWW

Beaten by six wickets in the end, but Betsham had to work for it, and I'll take that on a warm, showery afternoon that never quite decided whose side it was on.

Losing the toss meant batting first, and 155/9 from our forty-five overs felt about right for the conditions — scratchy in patches, but with enough substance to make a game of it. Tim Wright top-scored with a watchful 27, Jack Gwynn chipped in a tidy 24 and Martin Harris 20, while Chris Newman and Ray Dixon both departed for ducks, the sort of thing that happens to the best of us and, on this occasion, to two of us at once. The extras column, ever the unsung hero, weighed in with 25 — very nearly our second-highest score of the innings, which tells its own story.

With the ball we fought hard. Tim Wright led the attack beautifully with 1-18, backed up by Darren Styles (1-29) and Jack Gwynn (1-32), and I even managed a personal 15 with the bat that I shan't dwell on further. But Sam Willis had other ideas, compiling a composed 72 not out, well supported by Ian Stickels (27 not out) and Jerome Adams (22), their third-wicket stand of 61 doing the real damage. They closed on 157/3 with two overs to spare.

Six wickets the margin, then — respectable rather than chastening. We'll dust ourselves down, learn what there is to learn, and be better for it next week.

Wed 03 Sep 2014 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWLLL

We lost the toss on a warm, showery Wednesday against The Mote and found ourselves put into the field — never the news you want with rain threatening, but the lads dug in regardless.

With the bat, 185/8 from our 52 overs told the story of a rocky start salvaged by real substance in the middle order. Just 5 on the board when the first wicket fell had a few of us reaching for the flask, but James Piper and his partner steadied things with a fine second-wicket stand of 92 that gave the innings its backbone. Piper went on to a magnificent 83, well supported by Tim Wright's 45, before the middle and lower order rather lost their heads — 141-4 became 147-7 in the blink of an eye. Spare a thought for Thomas Beeney and Darrell Houghton-Judge, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers; the Duck Club ledger grows ever fatter.

In reply, William Thirkell simply took the game away from us with a superb, unanswerable century, ushered along by R. O'Brian's 37 and Rajeevan Raveendran's unbeaten 36, as Mote cruised home on 186/3. Thomas Beeney atoned handsomely with the ball, 1-28, backed up by Matthew Carter and Sam Boyns, the latter tying an end down with two tidy maidens.

Beaten by six wickets in the end, and fair enough — they had the better of the day in every department bar the toss. Piper's 83 was a personal joy amid the gloom, and with him now topping our run charts and Boyns leading the wickets, there's plenty to build on. We'll dust ourselves off and come back stronger next week.

Sun 31 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · AwayformWWWLW

Sunday 31 August 2014 saw us take the road to Knockers CC, and the coin fell their way, leaving us in the field first under skies that, frankly, mattered less than my pre-match toast intake. They posted 131 all out from 31 overs, C. Slater the chief architect with a well-made 49, while young H Elliot departed for a duck without so much as a nervous single. Martin Harris was the pick of the attack with 3-33, and Will Thew (2-12) and Jack Gwynn (2-16) chipped in nicely to keep things tidy.

A target of 132 is the sort that ought to be routine and, this once, mercifully was. Jordan Austin set about it in fine style for 48, with James Piper (21) and Richard Piper (21 not out) offering steady support down the order. I contributed a watchful 21 of my own, more application than artistry, before we brought it home at 135/4 with 35.3 overs on the clock — six wickets in hand and a fair bit of tea left in the pot.

Two points banked, and thoroughly earned. Jordan Austin continues to top our 2014 Sunday 1st XI run charts with 177, and Joshua Knowler sits third in the wicket-takers on 10 — both quietly building seasons to be proud of. As for the captain, I'll settle for a tidy chase, a dry shirt, and the satisfaction of a job done without undue fuss.

Sat 30 Aug 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLWLW

Saturday 30 August 2014, and off we trundled to Headcorn under a sky that couldn't quite decide whether to bother with sunshine — grey, but pleasant enough for cricket, which is all any of us really asks.

Batting first, we set about the business of building a total, and 206/3 from our 45 overs was a fair reflection of a job well done. Richard Piper anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 72, with David Castle keeping him company in fine style for 69, and Chris Newman chipping in an unbeaten 31 to see us home. Only poor Will Thew had a Saturday to forget, back in the pavilion for a duck before he'd had time to take guard properly — these things happen to the best of us, Will, and no doubt will again.

With the ball, we set about dismantling Headcorn's reply, restricting them to 133/9 from their 42.1 overs despite a battling unbeaten 33 from Stephen Smith. Chris Newman, having already done his bit with the bat, led the attack superbly with 2-8, well backed up by Darren Styles (2-18) and Tim Thirkell (2-27), while Tim Wright strangled the scoring with four maidens of pure discipline.

As for the captain, I managed 72 of my own and won't pretend that didn't feel rather satisfying. A comfortable 73-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Headcorn never really got a sniff, and we'll take that all the way home.

Sat 30 Aug 2014 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWWWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 30 August 2014. Headcorn CC at home, under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to rain on our parade, and having won the toss I stuck us in to bat — a decision I remain smugly convinced was the right one.

We lost an early wicket with just 3 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 Ryan Boyns steadied the ship with a lovely 62, and with Stuart Cheesman (38) and Daniel Thirkell (21) lending a hand, a 91-run stand for the fifth wicket did the heavy lifting. Kevin Presneill, Craig Sands and Martin Harris all contributed golden nothings, in the proud tradition of village cricket generosity, and we were bowled out for 189 in the 45th over.

In reply, Headcorn wobbled at 0-1 and never quite recovered their poise, despite a fine 69 from James Barker. We tore through the middle order, 83-4 becoming 100-7 with barely time to refill the urn, Mike Donnelly and Richard Lockie both departing without scoring. Thomas Beeney was superb with 3-28 — enough to nudge him past Rob Doick to 22nd on the club's all-time wicket list — while Matthew Carter (2-20, three maidens) and Richard Knowler (1-9) tightened the screws. I even chipped in with 21 with the bat, for what little that's worth.

Headcorn finished on 118/8. A 71-run win, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — the sort of result that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter.

Sun 24 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Holborough Anchorians CC · HomeformLLLWW

Sunday 24 August brought Holborough Anchorians CC to Linton Park for a pleasant, if determinedly grey, afternoon of cricket, and having called correctly for once in my life, I had no hesitation in putting us in — a decision that for once didn't come back to haunt me at tea.

Glen Rawson and Matthew Gladwell made the toss look rather clever, putting on 177 for the second wicket in a stand that did most of the heavy lifting: Rawson 88, Gladwell 86, both well-made fifties that had the tea urn practically boiling in anticipation. Joe Martin chipped in with 34, and in doing so brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark rather overshadowed at the time but very much one for the mantelpiece. Extras weighed in with a generous 35, while poor Christopher Thirkell contributed a golden duck, the sort of innings best forgotten by tea. We closed on a formidable 283/6 from our 40 overs.

In reply, Daniel Gilbert compiled a fine unbeaten century, well supported by Dave Tucker's 52, their pair adding 110 for the second wicket and threatening briefly to spoil our afternoon. But Tim Thirkell (3-29) had other ideas, backed up by Tim Wright (3-44) and Chris Newman (2-42), while I managed to rediscover some semblance of rhythm for three wickets myself. Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes testament to a lively pitch rather than any lack of effort. The visitors folded for 207.

A comfortable win by 76 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one — onwards to the next.

Sun 24 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv GC Great Chart CC · AwayformLWWWL

Sunday 24th August found us on the road to Great Chart, under skies grey enough to keep the sun-cream in the bag but dry enough to promise proper cricket. We lost the toss, were sent in to chase, and duly settled for the more agreeable job of bowling first.

What followed was as fine a spell as this ledger has recorded in some time. Great Chart were bowled out for a mere 48 in 20.3 overs, the innings unravelling from 17-1 to 31-4 before anyone had really got comfortable. Joshua Knowler was quite simply magnificent, tearing through the order for 5-17 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly. Matthew Carter chipped in with 2-2 and Thomas Beeney with 1-0, while Dave Daniels and Keith Hillyard departed for ducks at our hands, much to the Duck Club's delight.

Set a target that a half-decent tea round could have chased, we got there in some comfort, 49-3 from 15 overs, despite losing our first wicket cheaply at 5-1. Will Thirkell added his own name to the Duck Club roll of shame with a golden duck — the walk of shame duly completed. Our wicketkeeper had a busier afternoon than the scoreline suggests, 11 byes leaking through for extras.

A comprehensive seven-wicket win, then, and one built almost entirely on Knowler's inspired opening burst. Onwards we go.

Sat 23 Aug 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformLWLWL

Saturday saw Marden CC roll into Linton Park under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to rain on our parade, and after losing the toss we were duly invited to have a bowl first — a decision Marden may still be regretting.

We batted like a side with somewhere better to be, posting a handsome 267/5 from our 45 overs. David Castle led the charge with a splendid 89, striking the ball with the kind of authority that leaves mid-wicket conversations feeling superfluous, while Will Thew's well-crafted 76 and Joe Martin's brisk 39 gave the total real substance. It was, in short, more runs than a village side has any right to expect on a showery Saturday.

Marden's reply never got out of second gear. Gareth Ward's 36 and useful contributions from Rupert Humphrey (28) and Martin Hoare (20) were the only real resistance, and poor Harry Karim will want to forget the whole afternoon after departing for a golden duck. Darrell Houghton-Judge was magnificent with the ball, ripping through them for 4-20, backed up superbly by Tim Wright's miserly 1-14 (six maidens — the man barely broke sweat) and Luke Welsman's 1-15. Joe Martin's gloves had a busier time of it behind the stumps, leaking 14 byes, and I contributed a workmanlike 15 with the bat.

A statement win, then — 137 runs to the good and two points thoroughly banked. Marden simply had no answer.

Sat 23 Aug 2014 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformLWWWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 23 August 2014. We travelled to Marden CC, Kent, under skies that couldn't quite make their minds up, and lost the toss, which these days feels like the natural order of things. Asked to bowl first, we can't say we minded.

And what a shift it was. Marden were bundled out for a modest 93 in 33.2 overs, with only Charlie Newport (40) and Matthew Blythin (20) putting up any real resistance. Joshua Knowler was the chief tormentor, returning 4-18 with four maidens — miserly barely covers it — ably backed up by Daniel Thirkell (2-6) and Richard Knowler (2-15). Between them they left the home side's innings looking rather threadbare.

Chasing 94, David Thomas and Sam Courtley went cheaply without so much as a nudge to the scorers, but James Piper (42) and an unbeaten Kevin Presneill (40) simply strolled us home, wrapping things up at 96/1 in just 21.1 overs. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, conceding eight byes, but nobody was counting too closely on a day like this.

A word, too, for Daniel Thirkell, who brought up 400 career wickets — a proper landmark, and thoroughly deserved. With Piper now on 470 runs and Richard Knowler up to 21 wickets for the season, the runs and wickets charts are shaping up nicely.

Nine wickets, and home in time for tea. A very good day for the club indeed.

Wed 20 Aug 2014 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformLWWLL

Beaten by 4 wickets, but by heavens we made them work for it. Winning the toss on a pleasant, cloudy afternoon at home to Tunbridge Wells Wednesday, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for once the decision looked positively shrewd as we ground out 186 for 6 from our forty overs. Joshua Knowler was the architect, cruising to 80 with the sort of assurance that makes a captain's job easy, well supported by Jordan Austin's 30, while our extras column weighed in with a generous 26 — not quite a specialist batsman, but reliable as ever.

Defending 186 always promised to be a tense afternoon's work, and so it proved. Knowler, having done his bit with the bat, then turned his arm over beautifully to return 3 for 39, with Tim Thirkell chipping in a tidy 1 for 7, and G- Cooper sent packing without troubling the scorers. But Tunbridge Wells had other ideas: R- Collingwood's 49 and an unbeaten 49 from J- Matthews, backed up by Thomas Beeney's 21, steadily reeled in our total, and they got home at 189 for 6 with four overs unused and four wickets in hand.

A touch chastening, if I'm honest — the sort of afternoon where you bowl and field with real heart and still finish on the wrong side of the result. Knowler continues to lead our run charts this season and sits second among the wicket-takers, which is some consolation amid the gloom. We'll dust ourselves down, have a stiff half in the bar, and be better for it next week.

Sun 17 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Chelsfield Park CC · AwayformWLLLW

They found four ducks and still won by five – proper club cricket, that.

Sunday 17 August at Chelsfield Park, and the heavens couldn't quite make up their mind whether to spoil things — a damp, muggy sort of afternoon that had half the side reaching for jumpers and the other half insisting it was still shorts weather. I called correctly at the toss, which these days feels like the highlight of my season in itself, and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first.

We crawled and clattered our way to 144/8 from our 35, rescued from anything more embarrassing by Glen Rawson, serene as ever on 59 not out, with Jack Gwynn chipping in a handy 36. Elsewhere the Duck Club welcomed two new members, Tim Wright and Dave Todd both completing the walk of shame without troubling the scorers — condolences to both, the tea urn awaits.

Defending 144 always feels like walking a tightrope, and so it proved. The lads bowled beautifully in patches — Thomas Beeney (2-13) the pick of them, well backed by Jack Gwynn (2-28), Tim Wright (2-56) and the metronomic Tim Thirkell, who somehow found four maidens on a day when nobody could find a line. Chelsfield's Glennie (30), Mohan (28) and an unbeaten 25 from Mehigan gave us palpitations, but 139/8 was as close as they came.

A fine win by five runs, then, earned the hard way. Glen Rawson and Tim Wright continue to lead the Sunday 2nd XI's batting and bowling charts respectively — and rightly so. Onwards.

Sun 17 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 17 August 2014 found us hosting Benenden CC on a pleasant, drizzly afternoon — the kind of weather that makes a captain wonder whether he ought to have brought a coat instead of a hat. We were asked to bat, and when the total slipped to 1 for 1 inside the first over it looked rather like the coat would have been the better call. But the lads dug in, and a sturdy 56-run stand for the fifth wicket restored order to proceedings. I was fortunate enough to carry my bat for 55, with Daniel Thirkell's 45 offering fine support, and we closed on a respectable 149 for 9 from our 38 overs. Will Thirkell, Joshua Knowler and Jacob Ryan each contributed a golden duck to the cause — the sort of contribution best left off the honours board.

In the field, Benenden made light work of the chase, reaching 150 for 5 in 28.3 overs, with Matt Simpson's fine 59 and Peter Newman's 47 doing most of the damage. We did at least see off Copter Brunt without troubling the scorers. I picked up 2 for 21 with the ball, Joshua Knowler bowled tidily for 1-6 including two maidens, and Will Thirkell chipped in with 1-19 — but it wasn't enough to stem the flow.

Beaten by five wickets in the end, then, though a personal 55 was some consolation on a day when little else went to plan. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 16 Aug 2014 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLWLW

Word count aside, this fits comfortably within range. Here's the final report:

Saturday 16 August found West Farleigh CC our visitors for a pleasantly grey afternoon at Linton Park — the sort of light that flatters no photograph but suits cricket rather well. Winning the toss, I opted to field first, reasoning that runs on the board are all well and good but wickets in hand win matches. As it turned out, our bowlers had rather more work than I'd bargained for.

West Farleigh closed on 244/4 from their 45 overs, built chiefly around Chris Mckellow's unbeaten 77, with Jack Prideaux (47) and Matt Brooke (31) offering sturdy support. Alex Wade was our pick of the attack with 2-54, while Darren Styles (1-28) and Tobey Castle (1-42) chipped away gamely. Regrettably, 28 wides and no-balls handed our guests a generous head start — the sort of extras column that makes a captain wince into his tea.

We replied with 224/5 from our own 45, Glen Rawson striding to a marvellous 102 — three figures, no less — while I was rather chuffed to contribute 66 myself, leading from the front as a captain likes to say he does. Rawson, incidentally, now leads the 2nd XI run charts for the season with 468, and Styles sits fourth among the wicket-takers with ten.

Twenty runs shy in the end — not our day, but no disgrace either. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 16 Aug 2014 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton & Eastwell CC · AwayformWLWWW

Saturday 16 August 2014, away at Boughton & Eastwell, and I won the toss with all the confidence of a man who'd checked the forecast twice. No debate about it — we batted. Daniel Thirkell led the way with a fine 57, James Piper chipped in a well-made 54, and the pair put on a crucial 103 for the second wicket that really set the tone. Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 46 to round out a healthy 237/5 from our 45 overs. All told, a proper platform.

Then it was our turn to bowl them out of the ground, and bowl we did. Boughton & Eastwell never got going, with only Daniel Pritchard's 26 offering any real resistance, and the innings crumbled from a shaky 91/7 to 95 all out in 28.2 overs — poor Ed Miller sent back without so much as troubling the scorers. Richard Knowler was pick of the attack with 4-2, backed superbly by Joshua Knowler (3-12, four maides of pure stinginess) and Mark Christmas (3-16). Even I managed to remember which end to run up and picked up three wickets myself.

A nod to the record books too: those three wickets nudged Mark Christmas past Gordon Fenner and into 12th on the club's all-time list — quietly building a season in which he already leads our wicket charts, with James Piper topping the run column.

We won by 142 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and for once I can't find much to be self-deprecating about.

Sat 09 Aug 2014 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWLWL

Saturday 09 August 2014, and Rumwood CC came to Linton Park on an afternoon that could only be described as warm and wet in equal, thoroughly English measure — the sort of day that makes you wonder why we bother, right up until we remember why we bother. I lost the toss, they put us in, and for once that felt like doing us a favour.

David Castle played the innings of the day, 67 not out and barely troubled, with Chris Newman (32) and Will Thew (26) building around him — their 105-run stand for the fourth wicket the spine of the innings. A generous 50 in extras rounded us up to a handsome 222/4 from our 45 overs, which felt like a total worth defending even before a ball had been bowled in anger.

And defend it we did. Rumwood never quite got away from us, Joe Millen's 74 and Rod Bailey's 26 the only real resistance, and even their best stand only stretched to 74. Martin Harris was magnificent with the ball, 3-20 including two maidens, backed up nicely by Darren Styles (2-21) and Tobey Castle (1-16), as three of their batsmen departed for ducks. All out for 150 in 44.5 overs — a 72-run win, and a tidy one at that.

A word too for Chris Newman, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — not a bad afternoon's work at all. Onwards.

Sat 09 Aug 2014 🧢 1st XIv Stowting CC · AwayformWWLWW

James Piper, the ever-reliable spearhead of this Linton Park side, hit 55 well-made runs, so who was I, your captain, to argue with the top order's plans for the day? A warm, wet Saturday it was down at Stowting, the kind where the covers get more exercise than the outfield, and losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field for a look at the pitch before we'd even had our tea.

Batting first suited us handsomely in the end. Our openers gave the innings the platform it needed, 66 for the first wicket, before a stand of 67 for the second kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely. Piper's fifty was the headline, but Lewis Burnham's 46 and Daniel Thirkell's 43 did the unglamorous work of turning a promising total into a genuinely imposing one — 242 for 8 from our 45 overs, a score that had Stowting's openers looking distinctly thoughtful as they padded up.

And how they wilted. From 63 for 5 to 76 for 8, the innings simply came apart at the seams, Clifford Ball's 27 and Craig Harding's 20 the only real resistance before all out for 93. Mark Christmas was magnificent with 4 for 13, well backed by Richard Knowler and Thomas Beeney, the latter miserly enough with three maidens to make the bowling figures a thing of real beauty — and I'll confess a quiet pride in my own 4 wickets too.

A 149-run victory, then, and a proper one. Poor Will Cornwell and Phil Blake will want no mention of their ducks, but the rest of us can hold our heads high — a very good day for the club indeed.

Tue 05 Aug 2014 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDLWWL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 5th August, and a warm, drizzly sort of afternoon that felt about right for what followed. Bexley CC arrived, won the toss, and stuck us in the field, which in hindsight was rather the least of our problems.

We did some good things with the ball, it should be said. Will Thirkell was miserly and menacing in equal measure, 2-22 off three maidens, with Martin Harris (2-32) and Tim Wright (1-25) chipping in. But James Burford anchored the innings with 54 not out, well supported by George Wells (37) and Harry Furze (35), their third-wicket stand of 55 doing the real damage, and Bexley closed on a stiff 185/6 from their 44 overs.

Chasing it, we never got going. A collapse of 56-5 to 64-8 in the blink of an eye told its own story, with Tim Wright, Martin Harris and Jon Harris all back in the hutch without scoring. Joshua Knowler (38 not out) and James Piper (25) did their best to drag us up the hill, and their ninth-wicket stand of 51 was the innings' one shaft of light — but 115 all out from 47.2 overs was never going to be enough. As for the skipper, a golden blob; leading by example is meant to cut both ways, and today it cut the wrong one.

One proper highlight amid the gloom: James Piper brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth far more than the 70-run beating that followed. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 03 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Speldhurst CC · AwayformWWLWW

We travelled to Speldhurst on a Sunday that felt promising from the toss onwards, and when I called it right and elected to field, I confess I allowed myself a small, entirely justified moment of self-satisfaction. Speldhurst battled to 183 for 9 off their 44, Ben Durling's well-made fifty (52) the backbone of it, with James Hughes (42) and Mike Jones, unbeaten on 30, chipping in. Thomas Beeney was magnificent with the new ball, 3 for 25 and duly climbing to 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — one for the mantelpiece indeed. Nat Presneill (2-30) and Will Thirkell (2-35) tidied up either end, Sam Boyns bowled two maidens without so much as a scowl from the batsmen, and poor Mark Flemington and Pierre Roche were sent back for ducks, bless them.

Chasing 184, we set about it with real intent. The openers put on 62 before the first wicket fell, and a stout second-wicket stand of 68 kept the innings honest. Richard Piper was serene throughout, finishing unbeaten on a superb 91 — good enough to lift him to 5th in this year's Sunday 1st XI run charts — with James Piper (36) and Stuart Cheesman, not out on 27, offering fine support. We reached 187 for 3 in the 38th over.

Twelve byes were conceded along the way — Mark Christmas will not thank me for mentioning it, but honesty is the reporter's burden. A fine win by seven wickets, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 03 Aug 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Selling CC · AwayformWWLLL

Sunday 3 August 2014, and off we trotted to Selling CC beneath a grey blanket of cloud that never quite made up its mind whether to rain on us — it didn't, which counts as a small mercy in itself. I won the toss and elected to bat, a decision I'm claiming full credit for. An early wicket at 3 had me chewing my nails rather earlier than I'd have liked, but Joe Martin settled things with a fine 76, well backed by Jordan Austin and Benjamin Austin with 27 apiece, and a 95-run stand for the fifth wicket did the heavy lifting. We rather threw it away at the death — 182 for 6 became 189 all out in a flurry — and the Duck Club welcomed Joel Attwood and Jon Harris into its feathered ranks. Thirty-two extras rounded us out nicely to 189.

Selling never quite got going in reply. Tim Thirkell was superb, 4 for 22, with Martin Harris and Joel Attwood chipping in two apiece and Tim Wright characteristically stingy through his two maidens — and I'll allow myself a quiet pat on the back for four wickets of my own. Fourteen byes, mind, made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for poor Glen Rawson. They folded for 160.

Twenty-nine runs the margin, two points banked, and a job thoroughly well done — the lads can be proud of that one.

Sat 02 Aug 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWWWLW

Saturday 2 August found us on the road to Meopham, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I stuck us into the field without a second thought — a decision I stand by, whatever the scoreboard later suggested.

Meopham batted with a certain grim purpose, racking up 197 for 9 off their 45 overs. Mick Kirby was the chief architect with a handsome 68, George Tompkins chipping in with 34 and Nick Brown seeing them home unbeaten on 21. Tim Wright toiled magnificently for his 4 for 49, with Tobey Castle (1-10) and Alex Wade (1-23) offering honest support, while Darren Styles bowled two maidens of the sort that make batsmen mutter darkly to themselves.

Our reply never quite got going. Glen Rawson battled hard for 28 — the only real resistance — and I managed a modest 15, but we folded for 112 in 39.4 overs. Special, if unwanted, mention must go to Nat Presneill, who contributed a duck to the Duck Club ledger and can console himself that someone has to.

Elsewhere the season rolls on nicely enough — Glen Rawson still tops the 2nd XI run charts with 366, and Tim Wright leads the wickets with 11.

An 85-run defeat, then, and no dressing it up as anything else. We were beaten by the better side on the day, but there's enough form in the squad to suggest we'll bounce back next week.

Sat 02 Aug 2014 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWWLW

As Skipper on Saturday, 2 August 2014, welcome to Meopham CC. Warm, wet, the kind of afternoon that makes winning the toss feel like a personal triumph rather than luck — I put us in to bat, and for once I shall not be talked out of calling it the right decision.

We wobbled early, 8 for the loss of our first wicket enough to have me pacing the boundary rope, but Ryan Boyns settled things with a really fine 75, and Kevin Presneill's 36 gave the innings its backbone — the pair adding 109 for the fourth wicket, which was very much the making of our total. Then, as is tradition round these parts, the tail did its best impression of a soufflé collapsing, 172 for 7 becoming 179 all out in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. Mark Christmas's golden duck deserves a mention if only for its purity. 179 from 41.2 overs — respectable, if hard-won.

With the ball, Meopham never quite got away from us. Andrew Powney's 39 and David Pollard's 21 were the extent of their resistance before we bowled them out for 127. Stuart Cheesman was magnificent, 3 for 10 with four maidens — miserly doesn't cover it — and in doing so crept past John Taylor into 23rd on the club's all-time wicket list. Mark Christmas (3-17) and Richard Knowler (2-15) chipped in handsomely, with three ducks among Meopham's batsmen for good measure. I even found a spot of form myself with three wickets, though the least said about my own batting the better.

Fifty-two runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved.

Sun 27 Jul 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWLL

Beaten but not bowed, gents – another Sunday, another lesson in humility from Horton Kirby.

We travelled down under grey, drizzly skies on the 27th, and having won the toss I fancied a bowl second, so in we went to bat. Richard Piper set about the bowling with real intent, cruising to a fine 80 and giving our innings a proper spine, with Kevin Presneill chipping in a tidy 21 alongside him in a first-wicket stand of 58 that did most of the heavy lifting. Twenty-seven extras rounded out a total of 183/6 from our 40 overs – useful runs, if not quite the fortress we'd hoped for.

Sadly, Horton Kirby had other ideas. Jack Boxall played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 88 that we simply couldn't shift, ably assisted by Paul Geear's classy 53 and Duncan Summers's unbeaten 22. We did at least strike early, reducing them to 2-1 and allowing ourselves a flicker of hope, but a second-wicket stand of 122 put paid to that and the game drifted away from us. Tim Wright toiled manfully for 1-25 and Tim Thirkell chipped in with 1-31, but it wasn't enough, and we fell short by eight wickets in the end.

There was, happily, one shaft of sunshine through the drizzle: Kevin Presneill brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the scoreline. Richard Piper continues to lead our 2014 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 207, and Tim Wright tops the wicket-takers with 11.

Verdict: outbatted by a class act in Boxall, but plenty to build on – we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 27 Jul 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Bilsington CC · HomeformWWWLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 27 July 2014, and Bilsington CC were our visitors on a warm afternoon that couldn't quite decide whether it wanted to rain on us or not. We lost the toss, were asked to chase, and for once that suited us nicely, given what followed.

Put in the field first, we bowled with real purpose. Bilsington were skittled for a threadbare 54 in 21.5 overs, and frankly it could have been fewer had we not been feeling generous. Thomas Beeney was the chief tormentor with 3-6 off his three miserly maidens, backed up handsomely by Mark Christmas (3-12) and Matthew Carter (2-8). Graham Bingham and Danny Samson departed for ducks without so much as troubling the scorer — company Bilsington won't have enjoyed keeping.

Chasing such a modest total ought to be a formality, and to our credit we made it look one, reaching 55/4 in just 13.1 overs. James Piper led the way with a fine 27, though Jordan Austin will want quietly forgotten his walk of shame for nought.

A word for the mantelpiece: Beeney's three wickets also nudged him past Stuart Cheesman into 24th on the club's all-time list — a man in form, and rightly top of our 2014 wicket charts with 14, with Craig Sands leading the run charts on 162.

Two points, and thoroughly earned. A six-wicket win, no fuss, no drama — just the way we like it.

Sat 19 Jul 2014 🧢 1st XIv LC Lenham CC · AwayformLWWWL

As Linton Park's skipper, I called it right at the toss on a scorching, wet Saturday at Lenham — one of those muggy afternoons where the outfield steams and you can't decide whether to bring a jumper or a sun hat. I had no hesitation putting them in, and how the lads repaid that faith. Lenham's innings folded for a paltry 22, lasting just 19.3 overs, the first wicket falling at 1-1 before the floodgates properly burst open, 1-1 becoming a chastening 7-4 in a blink. Tom Curtis, Steve Horton and Nicholas Rutledge all walked back without troubling the scorers, while Matthew Carter produced the spell of the season — 6-8, including three miserly maidens, a five-for richly and thoroughly deserved. Joshua Knowler (3-7) and Richard Knowler (1-7) mopped up what little resistance remained.

Chasing next to nothing, we strolled home at 23/2 in just 3.3 overs, though not without a small blemish — Daniel Thirkell falling for a duck, presumably keen not to be outdone by the carnage he'd just witnessed. Elsewhere in the season, James Piper continues to top the run charts with 312, and Matthew Carter, unsurprisingly after today, leads the wickets column with 12.

An eight-wicket victory, then, built almost entirely on the strength of Carter's arm and a Lenham batting card that resembled a losing lottery ticket. Onwards we go.

Sat 19 Jul 2014 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformWWWWL

Chairman's ceiling has looked calmer, but scorching-and-damp was the order of the day when Horsmonden CC came to call, and by close of play we'd given the lads plenty to raise a glass to.

Winning the toss and batting first proved the shrewder half of my captaincy for the season, as we posted a handsome 203/3 from our 35 overs. Chris Newman set the tone with a rattling 67, well past his fifty, before Glen Rawson (63 not out) and Joe Martin (57 not out) saw us home in style — two unbeaten half-centuries that left the Horsmonden bowlers wondering what they'd done to deserve it and left me, watching from the boundary with a lukewarm tea, feeling positively redundant.

Two hundred and three is always a score with a bit of menace about it, and so it proved. Martin Harris ran through the innings with a superb 4-33, while Tim Wright bowled with the sort of miserly discipline (2-11, three maidens) that makes a captain look far more tactically astute than he actually is, and Jon Harris chipped in with 2-14. John Ward (23) and Mark Davies (21) offered the only real resistance before Horsmonden folded for 97 in 38.1 overs.

A comfortable 106-run victory, then, and a timely reminder of the strength in this side — Glen Rawson leading our 2nd XI run charts and Martin Harris up among the wickets. All in all, a very good day for the club.

Wed 16 Jul 2014 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformLDLWW

Wednesday 16 July saw us welcome Dummy Site to Linton Park under a warm, grey sky that promised more than it delivered — much like our top order, if I'm honest. I called correctly at the toss and, with barely a flicker of doubt, chose to bat. It proved a mixed blessing. James Piper played the innings of the day, top-scoring with 37 in an otherwise scratchy 102 all out from 34.5 overs, while Thomas Beeney and Sam Boyns both trudged back for ducks 🦆 — a pair of blots that rather smudged the scorecard.

Defending 102 always felt a stretch, but cricket, like the English weather, delights in surprising you. Sam Boyns, having failed with the bat, made emphatic amends with the ball, running thoroughly riot to finish with 5-21 and four maidens besides — not a run given away lightly. Matthew Carter chipped in handsomely with 3-19, and even Thomas Beeney found redemption of sorts with 1-0. Ben Tompkinson, E. Payne and O. Lockhart all departed without troubling the scorers 🦆, and the visitors were skittled for 47 in just 14.5 overs, a- Cornwallis's 31 the only real resistance.

A curious afternoon, then: we lost by 55 runs despite bowling them out for less than half our total — arithmetic that only cricket could produce. Piper and Boyns continue to lead the Midweek XI charts, which is some consolation. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 13 Jul 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BK Blue House CC, Kent · AwayformLWWWL

Onwards to Blue House CC on the 13th, then, where the toss went against us and we were asked to field first — never my favourite start to a Sunday, but the lads had other ideas about how the day would go.

Batting first, we posted a hearty 225/6 from our 40 overs, built on the back of a proper captain's innings from Jordan Austin, whose 111 was three figures of the finest order. Benjamin Austin (45) and Ray Dixon (23) chipped in nicely around him. Less gloriously, Will Thirkell endured the walk of shame with a duck to his name — the Duck Club ledger gains another entry, and he knows who he is.

With 225 in the bank, it was always going to take something special from Blue House to chase it down, and it never arrived. They were bowled out for a modest 85 in 29.4 overs, Paul Dall'Occo (29) and Jamie Collins (26 not out) offering the only real resistance while Matt Tremain, Nav Athwal and Michael Driscoll all departed without troubling the scorers. Luke Welsman was pick of the attack with 2-10, well supported by Sam Boyns (2-14) and a typically miserly Thomas Beeney (2-17, three maidens) — not a run given away lightly all afternoon.

A nod too to Mark Christmas, whose 14 runs today eased him past William Buck into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quiet history in the making.

A fine win by 140 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sat 12 Jul 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWWWW

Saturday 12 July 2014, and we welcomed Meopham CC to Linton Park on an afternoon that couldn't decide whether it was warm or simply damp — much like the pitch. I lost the toss, we were put in, and off we went.

Batting first is never a hardship if the bat behaves, and David Castle's unbeaten 53 was the innings' backbone, calm and correct while wickets clattered around him. Glen Rawson chipped in nicely with 24, but three ducks on the card — Tim Wright, Tobey Castle and Nat Presneill all departing without troubling the scorer — meant 137/9 from our 45 overs felt a touch light rather than defendable.

And so it proved. Darren Deeks and Mick Clark simply strolled to unbeaten fifties of 64 and 58 respectively, and Meopham cantered home for the loss of a single wicket in 26.1 overs. Ian Hollingworth was our one shining light with the ball — 1-14 including two maidens, tighter than a Sunday roast tin — while I contributed a modest 15 with the bat and rather less with the field, if I'm honest.

Beaten by nine wickets, then, and no dressing that up. Still, Glen Rawson sits proudly atop our 2014 run charts with 275, and Ian Hollingworth leads the wickets with 11 — proof there's substance beneath the scoreboard's grim reading. We'll lick our wounds, put the kettle on, and be better for it next week.

Sat 12 Jul 2014 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWLWWW

Saturday 12 July 2014, and the road took us down to Meopham CC in what I can only describe as prime lose-the-toss weather — sure enough, they had a look at the pitch and sent us in. A modest 162/6 from our 45 overs was, I'll admit, more graft than glory, though I was chuffed to hold up my end for an unbeaten 50, with James Piper (39) and Craig Sands (29) doing their bit to keep the total respectable rather than embarrassing.

In the field, Meopham made a fair fist of the chase, ambling to 166/7 from 39.5 overs on the back of David Pollard's 39 and useful contributions from Gavin Tovey (37) and an unbeaten 34 from Jon Pollard, their second wicket adding a stubborn 55. We had them under some pressure — until their last pair, in the time-honoured tradition of last pairs everywhere, wandered in and put on 38 runs we frankly didn't need to give them. I had a happy afternoon with the ball myself, 3-21 with three maidens thrown in, well supported by Martin Harris (2-51) and Richard Knowler (1-36), though poor Daniel Thirkell had a torrid time behind the stumps, conceding nine byes for his trouble.

As it stands, Piper leads our run charts with 308 and I'm rather proud to top the wicket pile with 11. But none of that softens the result — beaten by three wickets. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 06 Jul 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Beckenham CC · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 6th July, and Beckenham were the visitors on a damp, muggy afternoon that felt made for bowling — so winning the toss and having no hesitation putting them in felt like the easy part of my day. It rather went downhill from there. McCulloch and company got themselves in and stayed in, 89 without loss for the first wicket before we made any real inroads, and by the time their innings closed at 215/5 off their 47 they'd batted us into the damp Kent turf. McCulloch's 60, with good support from Barnett's 38 and Piller's 28, did the bulk of the damage, though Will Thirkell's 3-39 at least gave the scorebook something for us to be proud of, with Mark Christmas and Thomas Beeney chipping in for one apiece.

Chasing 216 was always going to be a stretch, but 65 all out in 24.3 overs was not the stretch I had in mind. Warren Jackson's 22 and Craig Sands' 20 were the only real resistance before the middle and lower order fell over itself — 63-6 becoming 65-9 almost before I'd finished my tea, with Darrell Houghton-Judge and Thomas Beeney both departing for golden ducks.

There was one shaft of sunshine amid the wreckage: Craig Sands brought up his 400th appearance in Linton colours, a proper landmark on a day when little else went right, while Thomas Beeney's solitary wicket nudged him past Ron Hickman into 25th on the club's all-time list. Beaten by 150 runs, then — not our day by any stretch. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 06 Jul 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv WC West Peckham CC · AwayformWWWWL

Sunday 6th July found us on the road to Dummy Site, and no sooner had we arrived than the toss went against us — they fancied their chances in the field, and off we went to bat first.

It was Tim Wright who set the tone with a fine 42, well backed up by Ray Dixon's 30 and Benjamin Austin's 24, as we posted 153 all out in 35.3 overs — a total with enough substance to work with, if not quite enough to relax over. Less said the better of Will Thew and Matthew Gladwell's matching pair of ducks, though the club ledger, as ever, remembers all.

In the field we fancied our chances of defending it, and for long stretches we did just that. Jon Harris was superb, ripping through with 3-17, with Tim Wright (2-24) and Joel Attwood (1-7) chipping in nicely, while Jordan Austin strangled the scoring with three miserly maidens. Your skipper even got in on the act with 3 wickets of his own — happy days indeed. But E Pearce (32) and J Pearce (25) had other ideas, steering their side to 120 all out in 34.2 overs.

In the end, 33 runs short — a defeat, but not a disgrace. With Glen Rawson still topping the run charts and Tim Wright leading the wickets, there's plenty to be proud of this season. We'll dust ourselves down, have a pint, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 05 Jul 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · AwayformLLWWW

We were away at Milstead on a warm, drizzly Saturday, and after losing the toss found ourselves shipping leather to willow rather than the other way round. Milstead posted a stern-looking 183 all out from 44.3 overs, built around a fine fifty from Paul Nicholls (60) and good support from Jaz Hanspall (55) — though our top-order trio of Michael Annand, Haydin Newman and L Whitehouse will each be nursing a duck rather than a suntan. It was Ian Hollingworth who did the real damage, prising out four for 31 and bowling three miserly maidens into the bargain, with Joe Martin (4-38) and Martin Harris (1-26) mopping up the rest in style.

Chasing 184, we made surprisingly light work of it, cantering home to 187 for 3 in 40.4 overs. David Castle anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 75, ably assisted by Will Thew's 59 and a tidy 22 from Richard Piper. I contributed my own modest 22, while eight byes told a rather testing tale for poor Glen Rawson behind the stumps — though he'll take the ribbing gladly, having reached the small matter of 7,000 career runs for the club today. He also sits proudly atop the 2nd XI run charts this season with 251, with Ian Hollingworth leading the wicket-takers on 10.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, then, and a landmark to toast in the bar afterwards. Onwards.

Sat 05 Jul 2014 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDWLWW

As the honorary match reporter, I'll draft the report directly from the facts supplied.

Captain's Log, Saturday 5th July: a warm, damp afternoon greeted Milstead CC at Linton Park, and having called correctly for once in my life, I had no hesitation in sticking us in. It proved the right call. Daniel Thirkell led the charge with a superb 67, while Craig Sands (64 not out) and James Piper (56) both brought up handsome half-centuries either side of him — the pair's 125-run stand for the second wicket the platform on which the whole innings was built. Even our extras got in on the act with a generous 29. We closed on a formidable 268 for 5 from our 45 overs, and I confess I rather enjoyed watching from the boundary rather than the middle for once.

If our batting had been a feast, our bowling was a demolition job. Milstead never looked like chasing it down, subsiding to 129 all out in 42.5 overs. Alex Tooke's 39 and useful contributions from Gareth Chick and Mike Sellar were about the only resistance before the floodgates opened — 120 for 6 becoming 131 for 9 in a blur, with poor Paul Mills and Culum Annand sent back without troubling the scorers. Mark Christmas was pick of the attack with 2 for 16, well supported by Richard Knowler and Thomas Beeney, the latter miserly enough with five maidens to make the tea urn look positively generous by comparison. I chipped in with 27 with the bat for good measure.

A 139-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 02 Jul 2014 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformWLDLW

Wednesday 2nd July, and Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC rolled into Linton Park under skies the colour of a well-worn cricket ball — warm enough, grey enough, and just the sort of afternoon that makes you grateful for a decent tea. I lost the toss, which by now is less bad luck than personal brand, and we were put into the field.

Not that it did us much harm. Dominic Ramjag played the innings of the day for the visitors, a stylish 56, but around him things rather came apart. Sam Boyns was the chief architect of the collapse, snaring 3-27 with two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, while Jon Harris and Will Thirkell chipped in with a wicket apiece. Mark Sumpter departed for a golden duck, which I'm sure he'll laugh about eventually. Sevenoaks limped to 136/9 from their 41.3 overs — a total that never quite felt like enough. Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking 11 byes, though I shan't be the one to mention it to him twice.

Chasing 137, we barely broke a sweat. Will Thirkell, fresh from top-scoring with the ball still in his hand from earlier heroics, batted magnificently for an unbeaten 90, well supported by Will Thew's calm 33 not out, and we cantered home at 139/1 in just 17.2 overs.

A thoroughly satisfying nine-wicket win, and with Thirkell and Boyns now topping the season's run and wicket charts respectively, the Midweek XI look rather pleased with themselves. Onwards indeed.

Sun 29 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv FC Frindsbury CC · AwayformLWWWW

Skipper's Log, 29 June 2014 — a showery Sunday found us on the road to Frindsbury, where the coin betrayed us and we were sent out to field. Not the worst fate on a soft afternoon like that, and for a while we made a decent fist of it. Adam Ling (48) and Alex Carr (43) got their eye in, Raymond Burt (42 not out) finished things off in style, and Frindsbury closed on a stiff 240/6. Martin Harris toiled manfully for 2-46, with Jon Harris (1-9) and Joshua Knowler (1-19) chipping in — honest returns against a side determined to make full use of their overs.

Chasing 241 was always going to ask questions of us, and we answered rather too many of them wrongly, bowled out for 115 in 31.3 overs. Richard Piper batted with real application for his 27 — no small thing, as it eased him past Brian Piper into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Jack Gwynn and Tim Thirkell both took the walk of shame for nought, and I completed the top order's misery by getting off the mark for absolutely nothing myself; we shall say no more about that. Thirteen byes did nothing for the scorer's blood pressure either.

One shaft of sunshine through the showers: Tim Wright brought up 4,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth toasting whatever the scoreboard said. Elsewhere, Glen Rawson and Martin Harris continue to lead our 2014 Sunday 2nd XI charts with bat and ball respectively.

Beaten by 125 runs, then — not our day at all. Back to the nets, heads up, and onward.

Sun 29 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv HC Higham & Mockbeggar CC · HomeformLWLWW

Sunday, 29 June 2014, and the heavens gave us their usual half-hearted drizzle as Higham & Mockbeggar CC rolled into Linton Park. Won the toss, had a look at the sky, and stuck us in — right call, if I say so myself, though the openers didn't get the memo, one of them back in the hutch with a fat zero still on the board. Cue nervy scenes. Thankfully Daniel Thirkell and Craig Sands had other ideas, the pair putting on 129 for the fourth wicket in a stand that turned a wobble into a total. Thirkell made a superb 92, Sands 72, both fine half-centuries, and between them and a generous 29 extras from our visitors we reached a handsome 213/5 from our 40. Poor Jordan Austin bagged a golden duck, but nobody remembers the middle order when the top and tail did the talking. A word too for Craig, who brought up 13,000 career runs for the club — some innings to have shared in.

Then out we came with the ball, and frankly it turned into a bit of a rout. Matthew Carter was magnificent, 4-11, with Thomas Beeney (3-6, four maidens — miserly doesn't cover it) and Jordan Austin (1-1) squeezing the life out of them. Mark Murray, David Hughes and Dominic Hart all departed without troubling the scorers, and Higham & Mockbeggar were bowled out for 45 in 30.2 overs. I even chipped in with 4 wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity.

A win by 168 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon all round. Onwards.

Sat 28 Jun 2014 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 28 June 2014, and out we went to West Farleigh on an afternoon of that peculiarly English variety: pleasant, yet damp enough to remind you why we bring two jumpers. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once the decision looked wise rather than merely stubborn.

Ryan Boyns played an innings for the ages, 107 not out, and found the perfect foil in Glen Rawson, whose unbeaten 89 sailed serenely past his fifty. Between them they hauled us to a mighty 258/3 from 45 overs, with a generous 47 in extras suggesting West Farleigh's bowlers were as damp as the outfield. Spare a thought, though, for Richard Piper and Will Thew, who took the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club gains two more members.

Defending that total, the lads made light work of it. West Farleigh limped to 136 all out in 33 overs, Wyn Barnardo's well-made fifty the only real resistance, with Houghton-Judge and Mckellow chipping in. Darren Styles was magnificent with the ball, 4-14, ably supported by Tim Wright and Chris Newman, while three more West Farleigh batsmen departed without scoring. As for your skipper — a golden blob, proof that leading by example doesn't always extend to the bat.

A fine win by 122 runs, and Darren Styles climbs to 7th on the all-time wicket list in the bargain. Onwards.

Sat 28 Jun 2014 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton & Eastwell CC · HomeformWDWLW

Saturday 28 June 2014, and Boughton & Eastwell came calling on an afternoon that could not quite decide whether to be summer or not — drizzly, muggy, the sort of day you win the toss and then have to actually make a decision. I called it correctly and, with the sky doing its worst, fancied runs on the board. We got there, if not comfortably: 164/9 from our 45, with Adam Jackson the mainstay on 42, well supported by Lewis Burnham and Daniel Thirkell with 25 apiece, and a stand of 53 for the sixth wicket that papered over some cracks. Kevin Presneill and Thomas Beeney will not be troubling the scorers' pencils this week, both departing for ducks — these things happen to the best of us, and occasionally to the rest of us too.

Whatever confidence the visitors took to tea evaporated the moment they picked up a bat. Eighty-seven all out in 33.1 overs, the innings unravelling from 42-2 to 49-5 in the time it takes to pour a cup of tea, Chris Brett among those sent back for nought. Richard Knowler was the chief architect with 3-17, Joshua Knowler chipped in with 3-22 and three tight maidens besides, and Stuart Cheesman took 1-5 for good measure. I even had a small say myself with 25 in our innings.

A 77-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one — the sort that makes the drizzle feel like part of the charm rather than an inconvenience. Onwards.

Wed 25 Jun 2014 🧢 Twenty20v Meopham CC · HomeformWLWWW

Lost the toss on a grey, pleasant Wednesday and duly found ourselves in the field against Meopham CC — which, in truth, is exactly where I'd have put us too, given the choice. Ben Stanley made a nuisance of himself with an unbeaten 35, well backed up by Miles Richardson's unbeaten 31 and Adam Roxburgh's 29, as they eased to 149 for 6 from their twenty overs. Credit where it's due: Mark Christmas bowled beautifully for 2-26, with Sam Boyns and Thomas Beeney chipping in a wicket apiece, and we did at least send Mark Burton and James Innes packing without troubling the scorers.

A tall order, then, and one we didn't quite manage. Six down for one inside the first over set entirely the wrong tone, and though Will Thirkell played a genuinely lovely innings for 48, ably supported by Mark Christmas's unbeaten 34 — the man having a night of it, having also just brought up 500 career wickets, a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than a rain-affected Wednesday allows — the rest of us rather let him down. A horror stretch from 101-6 to 107-9 did for us, with Adam Jackson, Joshua Knowler and Martin Harris all walking back for ducks. I contributed a modest 15 and precious little else of use. All out for 128 in 19.3 overs, twenty-one runs shy.

Not our finest hour, though James Piper and Sam Boyns keep flying the flag admirably atop the season's run and wicket charts. Heads up, backs straight, and into the nets we go.

Sun 22 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · AwayformLLWWW

Down at New Ifield on a warm, grey Sunday, I lost the toss and we were put in to bat first — no bad thing, as it turned out, though I'll admit I spent the walk out wondering if the top order had had their cornflakes. They needn't have worried. Richard Piper set the tone with a fine 53, and the first-wicket pair put on a crucial 57 before Glen Rawson and Ryan Boyns simply refused to get out, both cruising serenely to unbeaten fifties of 57 apiece. We closed on 229/3 from our forty overs, which felt like a total with a bit of steel in it.

Defending it was another matter, as New Ifield's openers set about us with 123 for the first wicket — the kind of start that has a captain rearranging his field and his nerves in equal measure. But Will Thirkell, in inspired form, ripped through with 3-11, ably backed by Tim Wright's 3-40 and Mark Christmas's tidy 2-10, with Thomas Beeney choking the runs with two maidens. Darren Delport (76) and Lyle Wheeler (48) fought hard, but poor Paul Harfield departed for a duck, and 196/9 was as far as they got.

Two points, thoroughly earned, by 33 runs — and a nod to Mark Christmas, whose two wickets nudged him past Allan Cooper into 13th on the club's all-time list. A proper away win, this.

Sat 21 Jun 2014 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWLLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 21 June 2014. Away at Rumwood CC, and for once the coin did me a favour: heads it was, and I had no hesitation shoving us in to bat.

199/5 from our 45 overs felt like a proper platform, built on the back of Glen Rawson's fine 65 and Chris Newman's watchful 50, with Richard Piper chipping in 23 and the extras column doing its bit with a generous 32. Runs in the bank, then, and something to bowl at.

Rumwood gave it a good go. Patrick Hill's fifty (52) and Joe Millen's fifty (50) kept us honest, and Alex McCloy's 20 threatened to drag the game away from us, but we had answers. Jordan Austin and Lee Marsh both departed without so much as a single to their name — harsh way to spend an afternoon at the crease — while Chris Newman, not content with his runs, ran through the order with 4-33 and two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure. Ian Hollingworth backed him up superbly with 3-40, and Tim Thirkell chipped in with 1-16. I added my own modest 23 with the bat earlier and did what I could from the field as it tightened up.

190 all out from 44.3 overs, and we'd got there — by 9 runs. Tight enough to keep the heart rate up, comfortable enough to enjoy the tea afterwards. A very good day for the club, and Chris Newman in particular is making this season very much his own.

Sat 21 Jun 2014 🧢 1st XIv Stowting CC · HomeformDWDWL

Saturday 21 June 2014, and Stowting CC rolled up to Linton Park under grey, drizzly skies — the sort of afternoon that promises rain and delivers just enough to make the outfield interesting. I lost the toss, which by now feels less like bad luck and more like a season-long personal vendetta from the coin, and we were put into the field.

Not that it mattered much. Stowting lurched from 9 for 1 to 15 for 4 as our new-ball attack found its lines, and Mark Christmas was quite magnificent, prising out four for just 11. Stuart Cheesman (3-32) and the metronomic Joshua Knowler (2-22, four maidens — the man barely let the bat swing) kept the squeeze on. Only Craig Harding, with a well-made 62, and Troy Harding's supporting 32 gave the innings any shape at all, and they were all out for 134 in 32.1 overs. Steve Jackson, Mick Jackson and Colin Keeler enjoyed spells in the field of their own, sent packing without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 135, we lost an early wicket with just 2 on the board and a few grey hairs sprouted in the pavilion, but Adam Jackson (55) and Lewis Burnham (35) put on 69 for the second wicket to settle everyone's nerves, with Daniel Thirkell unbeaten on 32 to see us home at 137 for 3. I even found some rhythm with the ball myself, taking four wickets for good measure.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfactory afternoon's work all round. Onwards.

Wed 18 Jun 2014 🧢 Twenty20v Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWWLWW

Wednesday 18 June saw us make the trip to Sissinghurst, and for once I made a decision at the toss that didn't come back to haunt me — winning it and electing to bat felt right, and for once felt right was actually right. Twenty overs later we'd posted a handy 160/5, with Will Thirkell playing the innings of a thoughtful man, 31 not out, Craig Sands matching him almost run for run with 30 not out, and Adam Jackson chipping in a brisk 27. Nothing showy, just runs going on the board while I paced the boundary pretending I had a plan.

Defending 160 always feels like standing guard over something a touch too precious, and so it proved. Sissinghurst set about the target with real intent, and Theo Allport's unbeaten 32 was the innings that threatened to spoil our afternoon, well supported by Scott Davidson's 31 not out and Gregory Keddy's 30 not out — a top order that simply refused to get out. It was left to the bowlers to keep chipping away: Martin Harris was pick of them with 1-13, tidy as ever, with Joshua Knowler (1-17) and Tim Wright (1-18) doing their bit to keep the required rate honest. I even managed 26 with the bat earlier, which felt like a rare case of the captain practising what he preaches.

In the end Sissinghurst fell agonisingly short, closing on 155/4, and we sneaked home by 5 runs — the sort of finish that ages a man but delights him in equal measure. Elsewhere in the season, James Piper continues to lead the 2014 Twenty20 run charts with 95, and Sam Boyns tops the wicket-takers with 7. A nervy watch, but two points thoroughly earned — I'll take that all day.

Sun 15 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Charing CC · AwayformWLWLW

Sunday 15th June saw us on the road to Charing CC, and beneath a pleasant, cloudy sky I somehow called correctly at the toss – a rare enough event to be worth recording for posterity. Naturally, having no coin-flipping form to protect, I stuck us in.

It looked a masterstroke early on as we had them 0-1, and Christopher Legg, Dave Riley and Neal Watts all trooped back without so much as a single to their names – three ducks in a row, which is either wonderful bowling or a temporary outbreak of mass hysteria at the crease, I'm honestly not sure which. Charing recovered gamely through Harry Lukens (46), Ben Cook (38) and Paul Titchmarsh (24) to reach 160 all out from 26 overs. Matthew Carter was the pick of our attack with a fine 3-15, two of them maidens, well backed by Thomas Beeney (2-35) and Sam Boyns (2-36) – and a word for Beeney, who passed 300 career wickets in the process, a landmark that deserved a bigger cheer than the tea urn allowed for.

Chasing 161, Mark Christmas played the innings of the day, 84 not out and serenely past his fifty, while I contributed a workmanlike 19 and found some rhythm with the ball for 3 wickets of my own. Benjamin Austin had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes the unwanted souvenir. We got there in 32.2 overs, six wickets in hand.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and Christmas now tops our Sunday run charts. A fine day out.

Sun 15 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv EC East Sutton CC · AwayformWLLWW

Here's the match report:

Sunday 15 June saw us venture out to East Sutton, under skies of the classic overcast English variety — the sort that promises nothing and threatens rain politely all afternoon. Winning the toss, I took one look at the conditions and decided we'd have a bowl first, a decision I was rather pleased with as our openers found early joy. East Sutton built steadily to 71 for the first wicket before Michael Beeney got among them, finishing with 2-24 and setting the tone for a disciplined display, well supported by Jon Harris and Jack Gwynn. Robert Bray anchored their innings superbly with an unbeaten 54, backed up by useful contributions from Bradley Cox and Mark Whitmill, and they closed on a stiff-looking 215/7 from their forty overs.

Chasing that down is no formality on paper, but Martin Harris had other ideas, playing the innings of the day with a classy unbeaten 75. He found willing company in Will Thirkell, whose 58 kept the required rate honest, and Jack Gwynn, who capped a fine all-round afternoon with an unbeaten 52 with the bat to go with his earlier wicket. We motored home to 219/2 in just 31.4 overs, eight wickets in hand and plenty of daylight to spare.

I must confess our wicketkeeping let itself down somewhat — 22 byes is the kind of figure that draws pointed looks over the tea urn — but with the bat and ball doing the heavy lifting, it mattered not a jot. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a very satisfactory way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Kent.

Sat 14 Jun 2014 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformLDWDW

Saturday 14 June saw us make the trip to Milstead CC, and if drizzle could be bottled and sold as an away-day tonic, we'd have had a full crate of it. Winning the toss, I stuck us in the field — the right call, and for once I'll take the credit before someone else takes it from me. Milstead built steadily to 236/7, with Steve Day's 83 the innings' backbone and Paul Nicholls (59) lending sturdy support, Richard Cusworth chipping in 27. Tim Wright was superb with 3-22, Matthew Carter miserly as ever (1-31, four maidens), and Richard Knowler took 1-35. Paul Mills, mercifully, never troubled the scorers.

Chasing 237, we never quite found our rhythm — 1-1 inside the first over set an ominous tone, and ducks for Richard Piper, Tim Wright and Thomas Beeney did little to settle the nerves. But Kevin Presneill batted with real substance for 63, adding a crucial 76 for the third wicket, well supported by Lewis Burnham and Matthew Carter (38 apiece). I managed 38 myself, more by stubbornness than style. We closed on 194/9, 42 runs shy.

A footnote of pride amid the defeat: Presneill's 63 nudges him past Jim Hall into 24th on the club's all-time run charts — the sort of thing that makes losing feel almost dignified.

In short: outbatted, outbowled, out-drizzled, but not out of spirit. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 10 Jun 2014 🧢 Twenty20v RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWWLW

Tuesday 10th June saw us head to Rumwood on a showery but agreeable afternoon, and for once the coin cooperated — I called correctly and had no hesitation shoving us in first. Twenty overs later we'd posted a defendable if unspectacular 116/5, James Piper the mainstay with 31 not out and Chris Newman lending sturdy support with 25 not out. Poor Richard Piper, meanwhile, will want this report kept well away from any family gatherings — a golden duck to open the innings, the sort of dismissal that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces.

Defending it, though, we were magnificent. Rumwood's first wicket fell for just 7, John Burbridge shipped out without so much as a single to his name, and from there the innings simply unravelled — all out for 65 in 19 overs. Joshua Knowler was the chief architect with 2-9, while Sam Boyns (2-11) and Mark Christmas (2-14) queued up to take their share of the spoils. I even had a modest hand myself with 31 runs. James Piper now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 69, and Sam Boyns leads the wickets with 6 — both men very much the engine room of our campaign.

A 51-run victory, then, comfortably banked and thoroughly deserved. If Richard can find his timing again and the rest of us keep bowling like that, this could be rather a good summer.

Sun 08 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · AwayformWWLLW

We rolled up at New Ifield on a warm, cloudy Sunday, I called correctly for once, and elected to bat first — a decision that for once didn't come back to haunt me. Kevin Presneill led the way with a fine 59, Trevor Back kept him honest with 57, and Glen Rawson chipped in a handy 47, the pair of Presneill and Back putting on 87 for the third wicket to give our total real shape. We closed on a healthy 219/8 from our 40 overs, though the ledger must record that Joshua Knowler endured the walk of shame for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, Joshua.

With the ball, we set about New Ifield in earnest. Tim Wright was quite magnificent, tearing through them with 4-4, ably backed up by Jon Harris (1-0) and Joshua Knowler (1-1), restoring some pride after his morning's difficulties. Bodle (36), Jayashantha (35) and Crowther (20) built a 70-run stand to threaten a scare, but once we had them at 117-3 the innings folded to 122-6 and they were bowled out for 129 in 36.2 overs — Shulver and Heselden both departing without troubling the scorers.

I contributed my customary nought and the less said the better. But the day belonged to Trevor Back, whose 57 nudged him past Tim Thirkell into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Glen Rawson and Tim Wright continue to lead the season's run and wicket charts respectively. A 90-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 08 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformWWLWL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 8th June: a warm, cloudy afternoon at home to Mersham Sports CC, and one of those days where losing the toss turned out to be no bad thing at all.

Put in to field, the lads were relentless. Mersham never got going and were bowled out for a startling 38 in 18.3 overs, with Abhishek Panda, Mark Gill and Edward Wright all sent packing without troubling the scorers. Stuart Cheesman did the real damage with 3-11, well supported by Thomas Beeney (2-1) and Sam Boyns, whose 2-4 included three maidens — not a run given away lightly, that man was miserly in the truest club cricket sense.

Chasing 38 was never going to trouble us, and so it proved: we cantered home at 41/2 in just 5.1 overs. Daniel Thirkell top-scored with a composed 21 not out, though poor Will Thirkell suffered the walk of shame for a nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated.

Off the field, cause for a quiet pint of celebration: Cheesman's three wickets nudged him past Ron Hickman into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. In the season charts, Daniel now sits 5th among the 2014 Sunday 1st XI run-scorers, while Matthew Carter leads the wickets column with three.

An eight-wicket win, two points banked, and honestly — I'll take afternoons like this all summer long.

Sat 07 Jun 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformLWWLL

Saturday the 7th of June, and Milstead came calling on an afternoon that couldn't decide whether it was summer or a car wash. We batted first and, rain be damned, the lads made themselves thoroughly at home: 226/3 off our 45, with Glen Rawson the star of the show, 90 glorious runs before he was finally persuaded to stop. Matthew Gladwell chimed in with a composed 64 not out, I nudged along to 27, and Richard Piper added a tidy 27 of his own. A proper platform.

With the ball, we simply didn't let up. Milstead were bowled out for 147 in 44.5 overs, Jaz Hanspall's 30 the best of a resistance that never really took hold — Michael Annand (23) and Conor Annand (20) chipping in, while poor Dominic Annand trudged off for a golden duck without so much as a nibble. Martin Harris was the chief tormentor with 3-36, Darren Styles backed him up nicely with 2-22, Michael Beeney picked up a wicket for nothing, and Chris Newman bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his allotment — four maidens and not a run given away cheaply. Spare a thought for Glen Rawson, whose bat earned him the afternoon off but whose gloves had a mare, nine byes going begging in the drizzle.

Still, 79 runs is 79 runs, rain or shine. A fine win, and with Rawson topping the run charts and Newman the wickets, the season's shaping up rather nicely. Onwards.

Tue 03 Jun 2014 🧢 Twenty20v Sissinghurst CC · HomeformWWWWL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 03 June 2014, and a pleasant, grey afternoon for the visit of Sissinghurst CC. Won the toss, had what I'll charitably call a "brain wave," and stuck us in. Two runs on the board and we'd already lost a wicket, which is not the calming start a captain dreams of, but the lads dug in gamely thereafter. James Piper batted beautifully for his unbeaten 38, with good support from Matthew Carter's 20, and 26 extras arrived unbidden and entirely welcome. We closed on 116 all out from our twenty overs — respectable, if not one for the ages. Special mention, in the grand tradition of the Duck Club ledger, to Stewart Morrison, who performed the walk of shame for nought.

With the ball, we turned distinctly more menacing. Sissinghurst were shackled to 88/9, Scott Davidson's 29 their only real resistance, while James Faulkner, Fred Smith and Greg Bird all trudged off for ducks of their own. Sam Boyns was magnificent — 4 for 6, including two maidens, bowling that gave nothing away — with Matthew Carter (2-9) and Will Thirkell (2-19) offering superb support. I chipped in with 38 myself, mostly by standing still and hoping.

Two milestones to toast: James Piper reached 5,000 career runs for the club, and Sam Boyns brought up 200 career wickets. A splendid win by 28 runs, and a thoroughly good day to be a Linton Park man. Onwards.

Sun 01 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformLWWLL

Sunday, 1 June, and Town Malling arrived to find the covers off and a captain in generous mood — winning the toss on an overcast afternoon, there was really only ever going to be one decision, and I had no hesitation batting first.

What followed was a proper accumulation. Stuart Cheesman anchored things beautifully with 52, Craig Sands stayed unbeaten on 45, and Glen Rawson chipped in 41 — with the extras column somehow contributing 40 of its own, which either says something about our discipline or theirs. 220/4 from our forty overs was a total to bowl at, and bowl at it we did.

Town Malling never quite settled. An early wicket with just 5 on the board set a nervy tone, and though a 54-run stand for the fifth wicket threatened to steady the ship — Sam Vale (35), Austin Caldwell (28) and Miles Caldwell (26) doing the bulk of the graft — Jon Goff and Matthew Webb both departed without troubling the scorers. Joshua Knowler was the pick of the attack, snaring 2-5 with three miserly maidens, ably backed by Nat Presneill (2-12) and Tim Thirkell (2-28). All out for 133 in 38.1 overs told its own story.

A word too for Stuart Cheesman, whose 52 nudges him up to 20th on the club's all-time run charts, past Paul Brattle — a proper milestone on a good day to reach it. A comprehensive 87-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Onwards.

Sun 01 Jun 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Borstal CC · AwayformLWWLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 1 June 2014, and the road took us to Borstal CC on a pleasant, overcast afternoon perfectly suited to committing further acts of self-inflicted cricketing embarrassment. I lost the toss, as seems traditional these days, and we were asked to bat.

It did not begin well. Nought for one inside the first over set the tone, and by the time we were bowled out for 120 in the 34th over we'd handed out three ducks between James Piper, Jordan Austin and Mark Christmas for good measure. Matthew Carter's 30 and Will Thirkell's 25 were the innings' backbone, propped up rather generously by 31 extras — Borstal's bowlers doing as much for our total as we did.

With the ball, we scrapped hard. Mark Christmas struck early and often for 1-16, Will Thirkell and Thomas Beeney chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Matthew Carter bowled three tidy maidens to keep the scoreboard honest. But Andrew Boye had other ideas, cruising to an unbeaten 58, ably assisted by Frani O'Neill's unbeaten 35, and Borstal eased home on 124-4 with six wickets in hand. I added 30 with the bat myself, for what little consolation that offers.

One proper highlight amid the gloom: Michael Beeney brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth more than any scoreline. As for the rest of us — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 31 May 2014 🧢 2nd XIv BC Betsham CC · HomeformLLWWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 31 May 2014, and a pleasant, cloudy afternoon greeted us for the visit of Betsham CC. Winning what passed for the toss, I put us in the field, a decision that looked sound enough as we worked through their innings, less sound by the close of ours.

Betsham settled in nicely and ran up 182/6 from their 45 overs, built chiefly around Tom Reardon's well-made fifty, with Karl Harris (40) and Mark De Souza (21) filling in the rest. Credit where due: Ian Hollingworth bowled beautifully for 3-41, including three maidens that must have tested the patience of every batsman at the crease, while Jack Gwynn and Chris Newman chipped in with a wicket apiece. Not a total to be sniffed at, but not out of reach either, or so we told ourselves over the tea urn.

Reach it we did not. The reply folded to 97 all out in 37.3 overs, a chase that never found its rhythm. Richard Piper battled hardest for his 30, I managed 30 of my own, but wickets fell around us with grim regularity, Jack Gwynn contributing a golden duck to proceedings.

Down by 85 runs, then — no dressing it up. Richard Piper and Ian Hollingworth remain our season's shining lights atop the run and wicket charts respectively, which is rather more than can be said for the rest of us today. Heads up, lads. Back to the nets.

Sat 31 May 2014 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWLDWD

Saturday 31 May 2014, and the road took us to Sheldwich. I called correctly at the toss for once in my life and, sensing runs in the pitch, had no hesitation in batting first — a decision that, unusually, I shan't be asked to explain away in the bar afterwards.

James Piper played an innings of real substance, a magnificent century that carried our total to 207/6 from the full 45 overs, with Daniel Thirkell (21) and Kevin Presneill (20) chipping in nicely either side of a crucial second-wicket stand of 60. I contributed nought, and the less said about that the better — we shall draw a veil over it, as promised. Mark Christmas kept me company in the duck club, and 27 extras rounded out a thoroughly useful total.

Then to the field, where the bowlers made the runs look positively extravagant. Thomas Beeney led from the front with 3-18, well backed by Stuart Cheesman's 3-27 and Matthew Carter's miserly 2-11 — five maidens from Carter alone told its own story. Sheldwich mustered only Nick Bennett (22), Alex Roe (21 not out) and Ian Turton (20) of note before folding for 115 in 40.5 overs, with three of their number departing for ducks of their own. Poor Glen Rawson had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 15 byes leaking through, but no matter.

Ninety-two runs the margin, two points banked, and with Piper and Beeney both topping the season's charts, this was as satisfying an afternoon as club cricket offers — even for a captain nursing a golden duck.

Sun 25 May 2014 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Upchurch CC · AwayformWWDLW

We fielded first, kept Upchurch to 170/6, but came up 8 short chasing it — nicely poised for a captain's report.

Sunday last saw us make the pilgrimage to Upchurch CC, and having called correctly for once in my life, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking them in. Bold, I told the lads. Visionary, even. Upchurch had other ideas, racking up 170/6 from their forty overs, built chiefly around Aaron Walker's polished 62, with Michael Hales Jnr (38) and Phillip Apps (32) doing tidy work either side of a third-wicket stand worth 51. Stuart Cheesman was the pick of our attack with 2-25, and Matthew Carter and Will Thirkell chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep it honest.

170 is never quite out of reach on a good pitch, and Mark Christmas batted with real composure for his unbeaten 36, well supported by Daniel Thirkell (27) and Glen Rawson (25), the pair sharing 55 for the second wicket to give the innings some shape. I added 36 myself and was rather enjoying the view from the middle. Then, as club cricket so often insists on doing, the wheels came off spectacularly — 87-2 became 97-5 before anyone could reach for the scorebook, and poor Craig Sands departed for a duck, presumably wishing the ground would swallow him whole. We rallied gamely to 162/8, but eight runs proved a bridge too far.

A narrow, honourable defeat, then — the kind that stings on the coach home but reads rather well in hindsight. James Piper continues to lead our Sunday run charts and Matthew Carter our wickets, so there's plenty to be cheerful about. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 25 May 2014 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformLLWWL

Sunday 25 May 2014 saw us make the trip to Sissinghurst, and it was, in the truest club cricket tradition, a coin toss lost before a ball was even bowled. They elected to bat, and we spent forty overs learning rather a lot about Scott Davidson, who ground out an imperious 112 not out and simply would not be shifted. Reuben Collingwood chipped in with a fine 76, Fred Smith added 22, and between them Sissinghurst rattled up 243/5. Tim Wright led our attack manfully for 1-22, with Martin Harris (1-28) and Tim Thirkell (1-57) lending a hand, while Richard Knowler bowled two miserly maidens as if trying to apologise for the rest of us.

Chasing 244 was always going to want a big effort, and Richard Piper very nearly gave us one, top-scoring with 47. Martin Harris weighed in unbeaten on 35 and Richard Knowler made 33, but the middle order rather fell away — Stewart Morrison, Joel Attwood and Michael Beeney all contributing that most traditional of club cricket offerings, the golden duck. Twenty-eight extras did more for the cause than several of us managed with the bat. As for your captain, a golden blob — proof, if any were needed, that leading by example is easier said than done.

We finished on 164/8, beaten by 79 runs. Not our day, then, but Richard Piper and Tim Wright fly the flag atop the season's charts, and there's always the nets to sharpen the rest of us up.

Sat 24 May 2014 🧢 1st XIv LC Lenham CC · HomeformDWLDW

Saturday 24 May 2014 saw Lenham CC roll into Linton Park under a damp but agreeable sky, and having lost the toss, we were duly asked to field first — never my favourite start to an afternoon, but such is the lottery of the coin.

Truth be told, our attack rather ran riot: Lenham's innings folded for nought all out, a scoreline that still raises an eyebrow whenever I glance back at the book. Quite how they contrived it I shall leave to the statisticians and the tea-tent gossips, but credit to the lads for a spell of bowling that gave the visitors precisely nothing to work with.

With the bat, we were rather more sedate about things, easing to 20 for 1 off 7.2 overs — no fireworks, but tidy enough given the conditions underfoot. Daniel Thirkell, who continues his quietly excellent season and now sits third in our 1st XI run charts with 50 to his name, will no doubt have designs on climbing higher yet before the summer's out.

In the end, with neither side able to force the issue to a conclusion, honours were shared and we parted as we arrived — on level terms. A curious, slightly comic afternoon of cricket, but an honest draw, and on a damp Saturday in May, I'll happily take that.

Sun 18 May 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv OC Offham CC · HomeformWLWWL

Sunday 18 May 2014, and the sun very obligingly turned up to watch us take on Offham CC. I won the toss and, in a fit of tactical genius I shall be dining out on for weeks, stuck us in. We opened with the ball, and Offham built a respectable 165/7 from their forty overs, the bulk of it courtesy of Ben Gittings, whose fifty was a proper, well-made thing, with brother Tom chipping in a handy 39. Poor Luke Harcourt trudged off for a golden duck without so much as a nibble. With the ball, Joshua Knowler was our chief tormentor with 2-31, backed up nicely by Martin Harris (2-33) and Will Thirkell (1-22), while Matthew Carter kept things miserly with two maidens — not a run given away lightly indeed.

Chasing 166, we got there in some style, if not without the odd nervous glance at the scoreboard. Craig Sands was magnificent, carrying his bat to 65 not out, an innings that made the runs that actually mattered. Thomas Beeney, alas, contributed his own golden nothing, while our extras column did rather more heavy lifting than any of us would like to admit, with 31 sundries swelling the total to 167/7 in 37.4 overs.

Three wickets to the good, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Craig Sands now sits proudly atop our Sunday run charts, with Martin Harris leading the wickets. Not pretty in places, but a win's a win, and I'll take it with a cup of tea and a smile.

Sat 17 May 2014 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLLWW

It was Headcorn CC at home on a warm, grey Saturday the 17th of May, and I won the toss and elected to field — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook now suggests. Mike Donnelly set about proving me wrong almost immediately, striding to 81 after a flying opening stand of 66, with John Thurston (21) and Trevor Scrivens (21) chipping in either side of him. Tim Wright was our pick of the attack, 2-34, with Michael Beeney (1-31) and Luke Welsman (1-43) doing their honest bit to peg back 206/5 from 45 overs — a total that always felt a shade beyond us.

And so it proved. Chris Newman led our reply with a tidy 36, well supported by Tim Wright (27) and Michael Beeney (21), the pair putting on 52 for the first wicket to give us something to build on. Build on it we did not, quite. Luke Welsman, for reasons best left to the Duck Club minutes, made a nought 🦆 — though in fairness he'd already had a testing afternoon behind the stumps, with 16 byes leaking through on his watch. I contributed a workmanlike 18, the extras chipped in a generous 26, and we closed on 184/9.

Down by 22 runs, then, and heads rightly hung on the pavilion steps. Chris Newman now tops our 2014 2nd XI run charts, Tim Wright the wickets — small consolations on a day that got away from us. Back to the nets, lads; there's work to do.

Sat 17 May 2014 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWDWLD

It was cricket of the sort that makes you glad you didn't pull out at 8am when the forecast looked shifty. Warm and overcast at Headcorn — the sort of afternoon that asks a captain to bowl first, and for once I didn't dither at the toss.

Headcorn made a fair fist of it, ambling to 141/9 off their 45, Kevin Richardson bringing up a tidy half-century and James Barker chipping in with 38. But the middle order simply never turned up — Twohig, Holmes and Mansell all walked back without so much as troubling the scorers, three ducks in a row a captain can only watch with quiet, guilty delight. Daniel Thirkell was the chief tormentor with 3-7, backed up nicely by Richard Knowler and Stuart Cheesman, while Ian Hollingworth strangled the life out of both ends with a pair of maidens.

Chasing 142, we wobbled our way home in 33.3 overs for the loss of five, Thirkell backing up his bowling with 45 of the willow, Thomas Beeney and James Piper lending sturdy support. Poor Stuart Cheesman completed the rare feat of a duck with the bat to go with his wicket with the ball — a day of extremes for him. Nat Presneill had an uncomfortable time behind the stumps, nine byes the only real blot. I managed 45 with the bat and 3 more with the ball, and can't pretend that didn't feel rather sweet.

A five-wicket win, then, and Thirkell easing past Dave Todd into 19th on the all-time list besides. Onwards indeed.

Sun 11 May 2014 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformLWWDL

Sunday 11 May 2014, and off we trundled to High Halstow with the wind doing its level best to blow the covers into Kent. A cool, showery, blustery afternoon — the sort where you check your jumper's still in the bag before you've even lost the toss, which, naturally, we did. High Halstow chose to bat, and for a while looked set to make a proper afternoon of it, reaching 155-6 before the wheels came off rather satisfyingly to 161-9, all out for 164 from their forty overs. Chris Lally's 47 and Ashley Trigg's 42 did the early heavy lifting, with a fifth-wicket stand of 61 threatening to bat us out of it, but Matthew Carter had other ideas — 3-25 including three miserly maidens — well backed by Daniel Thirkell's 3-27 and Mark Christmas's 2-24.

Chasing 165, we made light work of it, racing to 91 before losing a wicket, James Piper leading the way with a fine 58, Will Thirkell unbeaten on 39 and Glen Rawson chipping in 27. We coasted home at 165-2 from thirty overs, eight wickets to the good — though poor Ben Gordon will want to forget his own contribution entirely, back in the hutch without so much as a nibble at the strike.

A word too for Stuart Cheesman, who brought up 300 career wickets — the kind of landmark that deserves rather better weather than we were given. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club: bowled well, chased better, and home in time for tea before the next shower rolled in.

Mon 05 May 2014 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformWWDWL

We won the toss on a pleasant, overcast Monday and I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first against Selsdon CC — the pitch looked one to bank runs on, and so it proved. David Castle set about it in fine style, cruising past his fifty to 72, while James Piper chipped in a really handsome 55 alongside him, the pair putting on 121 for the third wicket to give our innings its spine. Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 25 to see us home to 207/6 from our 39 overs. Spare a thought, though, for poor Ray Dixon, whose duck will earn him a prominent entry in the club ledger and the customary walk of shame.

With that total in the bank, our attack set about Selsdon with real discipline. Chris Newman was the pick of the bowlers, a superb 3-12, backed up handsomely by Martin Harris (2-14) and Tobey Castle (2-15), while Thomas Beeney bowled with admirable control, sending down four maidens. Edward Shivmangel top-scored for the visitors with 26, well supported by David Ayling's unbeaten 21, but wickets fell steadily around them — Marcus Robertson gone for a duck, and the first wicket down for just one. Selsdon could only muster 110/9 from their 42 overs. Poor Will Thirkell had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 11 byes, while I contributed a modest 17 with the bat.

In the end neither side could force the win, and honours were shared. A draw feels almost churlish given the character on show from both teams — but a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's cricket all the same.

Sun 04 May 2014 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWLWW

Not our finest hour, but there's fire in that grey Sunday chill yet.

Winning the toss on a cool, grey afternoon at home, we opted to bat and, truth be told, never quite got the total flowing. Glen Rawson led the way with a composed 34 — enough, handily, to nudge him past Paul Brattle into 19th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is rather more than most of us will manage in a lifetime of Sundays. Will Thirkell chipped in a tidy 27, and the extras column, ever the reliable middle-order batsman, weighed in with 26. Poor Matthew Carter, meanwhile, was back in the pavilion for a golden duck, no doubt muttering about the state of the pitch, the light, and possibly the universe. All told we limped to 136/8 from our 40 overs — competitive-ish, on paper.

In the field we fought hard without ever quite landing the knockout blow. Martin Harris was excellent, prising out one for just 6, with Carter (redeeming himself somewhat, 1-10) and Michael Beeney (1-11) also among the wickets, and M- Shaw departing for a duck at our hands. But D- Beynon simply refused to be shifted, motoring to an unbeaten 63, well supported by T- Baldwin's 38, and their side eased home on 137/4 with a full thirteen overs unused.

Six wickets the wrong way, then. Heads up, chins up, back to the nets — there are runs and wickets enough in this side yet.

Sat 26 Apr 2014 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWWDW

As it stands, this looked a curious sort of match to be beaten in, and beaten we were.

Winning the toss and asking us to field is generally regarded as a modest kindness in this game, so The Mote CC duly waived it and sent us in instead — never a good sign. Losing our first wicket with the score on 1 was the sort of start that has grandfathers reaching for their hip flasks, but the middle order stiffened admirably. Mark Christmas top-scored with a fine 42, Matthew Gladwell chipped in with 28, and the pair anchored a fifth-wicket stand of 52 that was, frankly, the innings. All out for 145 from our 45 overs — respectable rather than daunting. Spare a thought, though, for Richard Piper and Adam Jackson, who both made the long walk back for nought; the ducks are noted for the ledger, gentlemen, as ever.

With ball in hand we asked questions without quite getting the answers we needed. Thomas Beeney bowled with real purpose for 2-30, well backed up by Mark Christmas's tidy 1-7, but Nick Waite's 34, Jason White's unbeaten 33 and Rajeevan Raveendran's 32 saw The Mote home comfortably on 149/3 from their 40 overs.

I managed 42 myself, which at least keeps me out of the aforementioned duck club, and Christmas leads our run charts while Beeney tops the wickets — early days, but the shoots of something are there.

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