🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 24 Sep 2016 🧢 1st XIv Stowting CC · HomeformWWWWW

Off warm fell tumble Stowting's way, and truth be told I still can't quite believe it. Winning the toss on a warm, cloudy afternoon at home, I fancied batting first, and for once the lads made their captain look clever. We were away in fine style, the openers putting on 65 before the first breakthrough, and while there was the odd wobble — poor Luke Welsman and Martin Harris both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers — the middle order simply refused to be bothered by such trifles. A magnificent 115-run stand for the fourth wicket was the innings' spine, built on the extraordinary Tobey Castle, unbeaten on 116, with James Piper (58) and Jordan Austin (33) both playing their part handsomely. 244/6 from our forty overs felt like a total with some substance to it.

Defending it was another matter, and Stowting made us work every run of the way, closing on 209/7 with David Jackson (62) and useful contributions from Mike Christie (37) and Troy Harding (35) keeping them in the hunt, aided by a stubborn 72-run fourth-wicket stand. But James Piper, having already done his bit with the bat, turned his arm over to devastating effect with 2-7, well backed by Tim Thirkell and Jacob Ryan, the latter's two maidens proving there's no such thing as a cheap over against this lot. Fifteen byes did rather suggest poor Nat Presneill was having one of those afternoons behind the stumps, but no matter.

A 35-run win and two points banked — a proper team effort, and one I'll happily take credit for from the captain's chair.

Sun 18 Sep 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · HomeformLWLWL

It rained runs at Linton Park on Sunday, and for once the man doing the raining wasn't the sky.

Winning the toss on a warm, cloudy afternoon, I did what any captain with half an eye on the tea urn does and stuck us in. It didn't start promisingly — gone for a duck before the board had troubled the scorers — but what followed was the sort of stand you dream about over the winter nets. Will Thew and Richard Piper put on 168 for the second wicket, Thew compiling a magnificent 92 and Piper right behind him with 84, before Luke Welsman came in to finish things off with an unbeaten 31. Jordan Austin's contribution was, in the strictest statistical sense, nothing at all — golden nothing, as they say — but 232 for 3 from our forty overs was a total to make Tenterden's openers sweat before they'd even padded up.

And sweat they did, eventually. Reuben Collingwood (46), Fred Pearman (41) and Tom Richards (37) gave it a fair go, and their opening pair put on 73 before Welsman got among them — four wickets for 30 in a spell of real teeth, ably backed up by Martin Harris (2-35, and a milestone knock past Terry Donovan into 24th on the all-time list) and a tidy Thew (1-9). Poor Nat Presneill will want to forget the eight byes, mind.

198 for 9 wasn't enough. Thirty-four runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly deserved both.

Sat 17 Sep 2016 🧢 2nd XIv MC Margate CC · HomeformLLWLW

Saturday the 17th of September dawned damp and blustery, the sort of afternoon that makes you double-check your jumper before losing the toss — which, naturally, we did, and were duly asked to bowl first with Margate CC our visitors. It was runs first for us instead, and I'm rather pleased to report 231/8 off our forty overs, with Richard Piper (50) and Luke Welsman (38) laying good groundwork before yours truly ground out 71 not out — a personal contribution I shan't pretend wasn't satisfying. The third-wicket pair added a crucial 71, though poor Martin Harris contributed nothing but a golden duck to the cause, bless him.

With the ball, the lads made Margate work for every one of their 198/5. Tim Wright led the attack beautifully with 2-16, well supported by Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-16) and Martin Harris, who atoned for his batting with 1-38. Kashif Anwer's unbeaten 46 and Brett Kirk's 39 kept Margate interested, their own third-wicket pair mustering 57, but Jake Canham departed for a duck of his own and it was never quite enough. Our keeper had a lively afternoon of it, 14 byes leaking through, but no matter.

A small footnote for the record books: Richard Piper's half-century nudges him past Tim Thirkell into 9th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now leads our 2016 second-team run charts with 484, with Tim Wright topping the wickets on 22.

We got home by 33 runs — a thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 14 Sep 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformLLLDD

A warm, bright Wednesday found us out at Penshurst Park, and for once the coin obliged — I called correctly and, with sunshine on my back and precious little else to go on, sent us in to bat. It proved a shrewd toss to win, if not entirely to call right, as Daniel Thirkell set about the bowling with real purpose for a fine 76, ably supported by Peter Whyte's 46 and Mark Christmas's 43. We did lose our first wicket for the princely sum of 3, which had me reaching for the scorebook in mild alarm, but the third-wicket pair steadied things beautifully with 74 together, and we closed on a handsome 221 for 8 from our 40 overs. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Tim Wright, whose golden duck earns him a place in the club's rogues' gallery.

Defending it, we huffed and puffed but ultimately couldn't quite blow the house down. Alexander McDonald played the innings of the day, an unbeaten hundred that we simply had no answer for, with Richard Maltz's 56 and Graham Nicholls's 24 lending capable support. Tim Wright, redeeming himself handsomely with the ball, took 2 for 30 and had the satisfaction of removing Jonesy Jonesy for nought, while Thirkell and Christmas chipped in with a wicket apiece. They got there with four overs to spare, winning by six wickets.

A battling total undone by one magnificent innings — no shame in that. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 11 Sep 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformWLWLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 11 September 2016, and a pleasant, cloudy afternoon greeted Cobham CC down from Kent for the visit. Won the toss, elected to field, and I'll stand by that decision even now the dust has settled and the numbers are in. Their innings ran to 192 all out in 37.2 overs, built around a well-made fifty from Nick Kraus (54), with Simon Murray (26) and Sam Perez Ugarte (25) filling in the gaps rather too comfortably for our liking. Poor Martin Corden trudged off for a golden duck, which was about the only laugh we got all afternoon. Tim Thirkell was excellent with the ball, 3-31, well backed up by James Piper (2-34) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-40) — proof, if any were needed, that the attack is in good order even when the rest of the day goes against us.

Chasing 192 was always going to want application, and we simply didn't find enough of it, folding for 100 in 30 overs. Small mercies: I picked up 3 wickets myself, so the skipper's afternoon wasn't a total washout even if the scorebook says otherwise. James Piper continues to lead our Sunday run charts with 544 for the season, and Martin Harris tops the wickets with 25 — the engine room keeps turning even when a Sunday like this one gets away from us.

Beaten by 92 runs in the end, no arguing with that margin. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word about application with the bat, and be better for it next week.

Sat 10 Sep 2016 🧢 1st XIv TC Telston & Mereworth CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sat down to write this one with the sun finally out and the tea urn still warm — Telston & Mereworth were our visitors on a warm, damp afternoon, and losing the toss put us straight into the field. Wilkinson made hay early with a brisk 76, and once he and Yeats-Brown (58) had put on 125 for the second wicket the scoreboard looked distinctly unfriendly, Kumar chipping in with 35 more. Credit where it's due: Houghton-Judge kept his head to finish with 2-26, and Welsman and Boyns tidied up either end, Welsman's two maidens the very picture of parsimony. 230/5 from their 40 overs felt like a proper afternoon's work chasing.

And chase we did — though not without the customary early flutter, an opening wicket down with just 7 on the board sending a ripple of resigned muttering round the boundary. But this is where the report writes itself: Boyns, having bowled his overs, simply refused to get out, ending unbeaten on a magnificent 102, with Presneill (44 not out) and Jackson (35) building the platform either side of a fourth-wicket stand of 58 that took the game away from them. Nat Presneill had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes a reminder that even a winning day has its indignities, but nobody was counting those once we passed the target.

Two points, five wickets in hand, and Welsman's fifty career wickets to toast in the bar afterwards — a proper team win, built on someone else's ill-discipline with the extras and one man's refusal to walk off. I'll take that every Saturday going.

Sun 04 Sep 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LC Little Chart CC · AwayformWLLWW

Sunday, and Little Chart CC it was, on a day when the coin refused to cooperate and we were sent straight out into the field first — never the news a captain wants, but there we are.

Batting first proved sticky work. We limped to 94/9 from our 40, saved from real embarrassment by Richard Piper's gritty 26, while the Duck Club took two fresh members in Nat Presneill and Tim Thirkell, both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. As for the skipper — a golden blob. Leading by example is all well and good, but this once I led by example of exactly how not to bat.

Defending 94 was always going to need something special, and for a while the lads gave it a proper go. Tim Thirkell, perhaps keen to make amends with the ball what he'd surrendered with the bat, ripped through with 4-19, well supported by Tim Wright and Darrell Houghton-Judge, while Tobey Castle bowled three tidy maidens and gave nothing away cheaply. Nicholas Powell and B Lillicrap joined the ducks' table for the visitors. And your skipper, mercifully, found some redemption with 4 wickets — proof that whatever happens with the bat, the ball still loves me. But Matt Eccles played the anchor role beautifully with an unbeaten 41, ushered along by Christopher Eccles' 24, and got them home by 4 wickets.

Richard Piper still leads our run charts, Darrell Houghton-Judge still tops the wickets — some things at least remain reassuringly solid. As for the rest of us: beaten, humbled, but not remotely bowed. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 04 Sep 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tyler Hill CC · HomeformLWLWL

A blustery, showery Sunday it may have been, but Linton Park served up a proper batting exhibition when it mattered most. Losing the toss and being asked to field is never how you'd script it, but Tyler Hill's decision proved a touch generous once Lewis Burnham got going — his 61 was the innings' backbone, and with Benjamin Austin (55) and Jordan Austin (53) both raising their bats in support, we rattled along to a handsome 268 for 6 off our forty. Three fifties in one innings isn't something that happens every week down at Linton Park, and I'll confess I was rather enjoying myself in the field watching it unfold from the boundary rope.

Defending that kind of total ought to be the easy part, and so it proved. Richard Keir's gutsy 62 and Karl Sutcliffe's 46 threatened to make a match of it, but Jacob Ryan simply refused to let the game breathe, tearing through the order for 5-18, with Martin Harris (2-36) and James Piper (1-8) mopping up either end, and Riley Butler keeping things tight with two maidens. Tyler Hill were bowled out for 151 and the game, frankly, was won.

Fitting, too, that Benjamin Austin reached 1,000 career runs for the club on such an afternoon, and Martin Harris eased past Rob Doick into 25th on the all-time wicket list. A fine win by 117 runs, and a day to savour. Onwards indeed.

Sat 03 Sep 2016 🧢 2nd XIv FC Fordcombe CC · HomeformWLLWL

Fordcombe arrived on a pleasant, drizzly afternoon, the toss went against us, and they had us in the field first — never quite my favourite start to a Saturday, but the lads set about it with good cheer regardless.

Batting first, we ground out a very respectable 178/7 from our 40 overs. Richard Piper led the way with a well-made fifty, the sort of innings that reminds you why he tops our 2016 run charts with 434 to his name this season, while Will Thew (32) and David Castle (29) chipped in handsomely around him. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, perhaps, but enough to give our bowlers something to work with.

And work with it they did. Fordcombe were held to 135/9 from their 40, Max O'Collins their top scorer with 27, and poor Adam Worcester departed for a duck without troubling the scorers at all. Stuart Campbell was the pick of a fine attack — 3-19 with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure — while Tim Wright (2-33, and now sitting proudly atop our wicket charts with 20 for the season) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (1-11) kept the squeeze on throughout.

A 43-run victory, two points banked, and honestly earned in the drizzle. If this is what damp Saturdays look like, I'll take the toss losses gladly.

Sat 03 Sep 2016 🧢 1st XIv SC Speldhurst CC · AwayformLWWWW

Saturday saw us on the road to Speldhurst, and for once the coin cooperated — heads it was, and I had no hesitation in putting us in. Two hundred didn't quite arrive, but 177 for 9 off our forty overs was a tidy platform, built chiefly around a lovely 76-run stand for the second wicket. James Piper was in irresistible form for his 59, with Adam Jackson (34) and Mark Christmas (22) chipping in nicely, and I'll happily own my own 22 down the order.

With the ball, we were rather generous — 17 wides and 6 no-balls is not the tightest bowling display Linton Park has ever produced, and I shall be having quiet words. But no matter, because the top order simply couldn't get going: 4 for 1 early, and then Ed Wesson, James Waters and Patrick Green departed in a heap without so much as troubling the scorers. Alex Keeler was the chief destroyer with 4 for 8, Joshua Knowler tidied up with 4 for 17 (two miserly maidens besides), and Richard Knowler weighed in with 2 for 28. Mike Jeffreys (41) and Nick Foulds (24) offered the only real resistance before it was all over for 115.

A word of celebration too — James Piper reached 9,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to, and he now sits proudly atop this season's run charts with 710, with Richard Knowler leading the wickets on 36.

A 62-run win, generosity with the extras notwithstanding. Onwards indeed.

Wed 31 Aug 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLLLLD

Wednesday 31 August saw The Mote CC pitch up at Linton Park, and I lost the toss — no surprises there, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer. They chose to bat, and after 37 overs had racked up a healthy 232/4, William Thirkell the chief architect with a classy 68, James Marriott unbeaten on 47 and Daniel Mason chipping in 36. Credit to the lads with the ball, mind: Benjamin Austin led the charge with 1-21, Tim Thirkell matched him with 1-21 of his own, and Tobey Castle picked up 1-47 for his troubles. Poor Kevin Presneill had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 9 byes going begging — the sort of afternoon that ages a wicketkeeper by several seasons.

Chasing 233, we made a fair fist of it, closing on 174/7 from our 38 overs. I'm rather chuffed to report I led from the front with 56, and Tobey Castle gave fine support with 31, the pair of us stitching together a useful 52 for the fifth wicket before the tail had its say. Not quite enough to get us over the line, but honours were shared in the end — a draw, with neither side able to force the issue.

Daniel Thirkell continues to top the Midweek XI run charts with 117 for the season, and Tobey Castle leads the wickets with 7 — proper form from both. All told, a hard-fought, good-natured draw: no losers, plenty of tea, and the scorebook doing the talking.

Sun 28 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday 28 August, and Knockers CC rolled into Linton Park on a warm, drizzly afternoon with the kind of soft outfield that promises soggy trouser cuffs and slippery slip catches. The toss went against us — no great surprise this season — and we were asked to bat.

To our credit, the lads knuckled down. Benjamin Austin led the way with a composed 39, Tobey Castle chipped in with 37 and Luke Welsman weighed in with 36, the three of them stitching together the innings' backbone. The best of it came in a lively 58-run stand for the seventh wicket, proof that runs are often made lowest down the order when nobody's watching the scorebook too closely. Less gloriously, Chris Newman and Anton Bourdillon both departed for ducks — the sort of scores best mentioned briefly and moved past swiftly. We closed on a respectable 192/8 from our forty.

With the ball, we simply couldn't stem the tide. T Woodthorpe played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 57, ably assisted by Ward (42) and Calver (40), and between them they chased us down with four overs to spare. Tobey Castle was our pick of the attack with 2-55, backed up nicely by Tim Wright (1-5) and Jordan Austin (1-16), while poor Sam Boyns endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, gifting ten byes into the drizzle.

Not our day, beaten by four wickets. Heads up, back to the nets — there are runs and wickets enough in this side to come again.

Sat 27 Aug 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformLWLLW

Since we lost the toss and were put in to field, Meopham piled up 230/5 from their forty overs — Mick Clark stroking a fine 94, with George Tompkins (66) and Tony Pearce (26) chipping in to give them a total that always looked a shade too many. Ian Hollingworth was the pick of our attack with 1-37, while Luke Welsman and Tobey Castle both picked up a wicket apiece (1-40 and 1-43) to keep things honest, even if the scoreboard kept ticking along at a rate we'd rather it hadn't.

Chasing 231, we gave it a decent go and finished on 212/6 — a total built, in truth, on rather generous foundations, with a chunky 38 extras doing more heavy lifting than any captain likes to admit. David Castle led the way with a well-crafted 53, Richard Piper supported nicely with 44, and Glen Rawson chipped in 26. I'll confess my own 53 was a pleasant surprise, and one I'll happily take credit for while quietly ignoring the ten byes that went begging behind the stumps — the gloves having, shall we say, a slightly loose afternoon.

Elsewhere the season ticks along nicely: Richard Piper still tops the 2nd XI run charts with 384, and Ian Hollingworth sits second in the wickets with 14 — proof there's more good cricket in this lot than today's result suggests.

In the end, eighteen runs shy and a match that got away from us rather than one we lost. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets — Meopham had the better of us, but only just.

Sat 27 Aug 2016 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWLWWW

Here's the report.

A warm, rain-soaked Saturday, Meopham CC in town, and for once the toss actually mattered — I called it right, elected to bat, and settled in for what proved a rather splendid afternoon of cricket. Daniel Thirkell set about the Meopham bowling with real intent, cruising to 87, while Lewis Burnham chipped in a handsome 56 and Adam Jackson a tidy 31. Their second-wicket stand of 109 was the platform for everything that followed, and 238/5 from our forty overs felt like a total with some teeth in it — as it proved.

Chasing it down, Meopham gave us a proper fright. Andrew Powney batted with real class for an unbeaten 91, and with Kevin Smith (45) and David Pollard (27) putting on 111 for the second wicket, the game was very much alive deep into the innings. Credit to the bowlers for dragging us over the line — Richard Knowler the pick with 2-61, backed up nicely by Joshua Knowler and Stuart Cheesman, one wicket apiece, and a golden duck for Jon Pollard that the scorebook will remember fondly even if he won't.

A word too for Lewis Burnham, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club today — a proper landmark, and typical of him to mark it with a half-century in the same innings.

Seven runs the margin, nerves shredded accordingly, but a win is a win. Onwards.

Sun 21 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Harbledown CC · AwayformLWLLW

Well, another Sunday, another dose of village-green theatre — off to Harbledown we went on the 21st of August, under skies that couldn't decide whether to drizzle properly or just sulk. I lost the toss, as is tradition, and we were put into the field, which at least spared us the indignity of standing about in the wet with pads on.

Harbledown ground out 153/7 from their forty overs, built patiently around David Turner's unbeaten 42 and Neil Turner's 38 — the Turners doing what Turners evidently do. Credit to the lads with the ball, though: Angus Knowler was a picture of miserliness, 2-17 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, while Tim Wright (2-35) and Joshua Knowler (1-14) chipped away nicely. A more than containable total, all things considered.

Chasing it down, we strolled home at 157/3 in 32.1 overs, Mark Christmas the undoubted star of the show with a composed, unbeaten 70 — a knock that, we're reliably informed, edges him past Kevin Presneill into 21st on the club's all-time run charts. Richard Piper (48) and Trevor Back, unbeaten on 22, gave him fine support. Will Thew and Luke Welsman both departed for ducks, but nobody was counting once the target was in sight.

Seven wickets, two points, and a happy coach journey home. Bring on next week.

Sun 21 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv DC Dymchurch CC · HomeformWWLWL

Warm and showery it may have been, but Sunday saw Linton Park in fine fettle, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in sending us in first – always nice when the coin behaves.

What followed was a proper feast of batting. James Piper (98) and Adam Jackson (96) both flirted outrageously with three figures without quite getting there, while the openers gave us 85 for the first wicket before a crucial second-wicket stand of 134 set the platform. Kevin Presneill's unbeaten fifty rounded things off nicely, and 323/4 from our 40 overs was a total to make Dymchurch's legs go a little heavy in the field.

With the ball, Dymchurch threatened briefly through Matthew Ford (59) and Bradley Harper (53), who added 120 for the second wicket after an early wobble of 6 for 1 – and poor Jake Deem departed without so much as a nibble, bless him. But Sam Boyns was in inspired form with 3-20, well backed by Oliver Holdstock and Ray Dixon, and I confess to no small satisfaction at chipping in with three wickets of my own. We were generous to a fault with 22 wides, mind – the sort of hospitality Dymchurch could have done without.

A word for Kevin Presneill, whose fifty eased him past Mark Christmas to 21st on the club's all-time run charts – a fine bit of history-making on a soggy afternoon. All told, a comfortable 132-run victory, and thoroughly deserved.

Sat 20 Aug 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformWLWLL

Saturday 20th August, and Penshurst Park Park came down to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide between drizzle and gusting wind — cricket weather in only the loosest sense of the term. I won the toss, which these days feels like the highlight of my captaincy, and had no hesitation in batting first.

The lads built a proper total. Richard Piper led from the front with 40, Will Thew chipped in a tidy 31, Glen Rawson added 29, and I managed 40 myself in among it all — though I suspect the extras column, a generous 28, deserves its own place in the batting order at this rate. 185/6 from our 40 overs felt like a defendable score, and so it proved.

Penshurst fought hard, built around a fine, well-paced fifty from Muhammed Farooqui, but they never quite got ahead of the required rate. Stuart Campbell was the chief tormentor with 4-34, Tobey Castle backed him up nicely with 3-34 — and reached his 50th career wicket in the process, a landmark worth raising a glass to — while Ian Hollingworth was typically parsimonious, 1-22 with two maidens. Poor Glen Rawson had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging, though no one holds it against him after a knock like that. Penshurst closed on 149/9.

A 36-run win, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. Drizzle, wind and byes be damned — that's a proper Saturday's work.

Wed 17 Aug 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformLLLLL

Wednesday 17 August 2016, and Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC came to Linton Park under a warm, grey sky that threatened rain and never quite delivered it — much like my bowling figures over the years. The coin behaved for once, and I had few qualms about batting first.

What followed was a proper little innings. Luke Welsman played the anchor role to perfection, finishing unbeaten on 63, while Benjamin Austin (35) and Joshua Knowler (27) built handsomely around him — the pair sharing a 62-run stand for the fourth wicket that really was the innings' spine. We closed on 183/4 from our 37, a total that felt like it had a bit of everything: patience, application, and just enough late impetus.

In the field, we made early inroads, sending back F Sellings and P- Wright without so much as a run to their names — always a satisfying sight from the skipper's vantage point. Tobey Castle was the chief architect with 3-21, well supported by Sam Boyns (2-25) and Tim Wright (1-19). But N- Badman had other ideas, batting through for an unbeaten 66, ushered along by J Richardson (30) and G- Cooper (21), and Tunbridge Wells crept to 161/6 from their 35 to deny us. I contributed a workmanlike 27 with the bat, for what it's worth.

Honours shared, then — neither side quite able to land the killer blow. A draw that satisfied no one and offended no one, which, in truth, is club cricket's most honest result.

Sun 14 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv High Halstow CC · HomeformLLWLL

On a warm, overcast Sunday at Linton Park, we welcomed High Halstow CC and, having called correctly at the toss, I opted to bat first — a decision I shall be dining out on for weeks. Laurie Probert set about the High Halstow attack with real purpose, farming a fine 74 not out, and found willing company in Benjamin Austin's 42 and Joshua Knowler's brisk 20 not out to see us to a handsome 193/5 from our forty overs. Tea was taken with a spring in the step that only a total like that can provide.

Defending it proved rather more nerve-jangling than the scoreboard suggests. Chris Whatman dug in for an unbeaten 43 and, with James Marrable's 29, threatened to drag the visitors home with a stubborn 52-run stand for the eighth wicket. But Sam Boyns had other ideas, steaming in for a marvellous 4-20 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Martin Harris (2-26) and Tobey Castle (1-32). Not to be left out of my own team talk, I chipped in with 4 wickets myself — the sort of day a skipper writes home about. High Halstow were held to 165/9.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved, as we ran out winners by 28 runs. A proper club cricket afternoon — bat first, bowl tight, and let the lads do the rest.

Sun 14 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv LC Leybourne CC · AwayformWWWLW

Sunday 14th August found us on the road to Leybourne, under skies of a heavy grey that never quite got round to raining on us — which, given the way this season's gone, felt like a small mercy in itself. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock, and for once a captain's hunch didn't blow up in his face.

James Piper batted like a man with somewhere to be, carving out a magnificent 121 that had the tea urn practically applauding itself, while Glen Rawson played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 52. Between them they carried us to 214 for 2 off our forty overs — the sort of total that has you rubbing your hands together and mentally composing the victory speech rather prematurely, as it turned out.

Because Leybourne simply refused to read the script. Tim Cotton and Matthew Pearce both made unbeaten half-centuries of real quality, 80 and 61 respectively, with Chris Slater chipping in 34, and between them they chased our total down inside 32 overs. Tim Thirkell toiled away superbly for his figures of 2 for 35, three of those overs maidens, and Anton Bourdillon picked up a wicket too, but it wasn't nearly enough to stem the tide.

Seven wickets the margin in the end — a proper hiding, dressed up politely. James Piper's runs keep him top of our 2016 Sunday charts on 386, which is scant consolation for the rest of us. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week; on this evidence, we'll need to.

Sat 13 Aug 2016 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sennocke CC · AwayformWWLWL

Here is the report:

There are days when the toss feels like the biggest decision of the afternoon, and this was one of them. Winning it and choosing to bat looked, for a good while, like the shrewdest call I'd made all season. On a warm, damp Saturday down at Sennocke, we posted 112 all out in 38.4 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, in truth, but a scrap of a knock built around Trevor Back's 28 and useful support from David Castle with 22. The sort of innings where you keep glancing at the sky and telling yourself it'll be enough.

It wasn't. Sennocke strolled to 117 for 2 in just 24.3 overs, with Dom Makepeace playing the innings of the day — 56 not out, unhurried and unanswerable — backed up by Dan Callingham's 25 and Mark Conway's 22. Stuart Campbell toiled manfully for his 2-49, the lone bright spark with the ball, but two wickets was never going to be enough against that kind of batting.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no arguments about it. Richard Piper continues to purr along at the top of the 2nd XI run charts with 300 for the season, and Stuart can at least console himself with fourth spot in the wicket standings. As for the rest of us — heads up, chins out, and back to the nets. Not our day, but rarely is cricket short of another one.

Sat 13 Aug 2016 🧢 1st XIv WC Withyham CC · HomeformWWLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 13 August 2016. A warm, cloudy afternoon greeted us as we welcomed Withyham CC to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't so much as pause for thought before opting to bat. As decisions go, it was one of my better ones.

James Piper played an innings of real substance, 108 not out and utterly serene about it, while Daniel Thirkell chipped in with a brisk 68 and Kevin Presneill added an unbeaten 21 to see us home to 228/3 from our 40 overs. The 158-run stand for the second wicket was the platform on which the whole innings was built — I merely had to sit back, pad up occasionally, and admire the view.

Defending it, Withyham gave themselves a chance. George Smith's 52 and Henry Smith's 50 built a handy 107-run third-wicket stand after we'd struck early to have them 5-1, and Paddy Lloyd's unbeaten 28 kept them interested to the last. But Richard Knowler had other ideas, spinning his way to 5-34 and, in doing so, sailing past 300 career wickets — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Joshua Knowler's 4-54 mopped up the rest, with poor Michael Whitehead collecting a golden duck for good measure.

We closed it out at 192/9, a win by 36 runs. Piper leads our run charts for the summer, Knowler the wickets — and on this evidence, long may both continue. Onwards.

Fri 12 Aug 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv The Dragons CC · HomeformWLLLL

The Dragons rolled into Linton Park on 12 August under a sky so bright it almost apologised for what followed. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling record remains resolutely mediocre — and the visitors chose to bat, a decision that Ross Davies made look positively inspired as he ground out a magnificent 137. Josh Mihill's brisk 58 and William Downes' 25 gave the innings a spine, and by the time 40 overs were up they'd posted a hefty 257/3. Sam Boyns toiled manfully with the ball, 2-46 his reward for honest labour on an unforgiving afternoon.

Chasing 258 was always going to ask questions of us, and we answered rather too many of them wrongly. Tim Wright's 38 and Matt Tavare's 37 gave us something to build on, Boyns chipping in again with 26, and I contributed a workmanlike 26 of my own. But Luke Welsman and Tobey Castle both departed for golden ducks, and behind the stumps poor Benjamin Austin had a torrid time of it, nine byes slipping past. All out for 157 with half an over to spare — a hundred-run defeat that flatters no one.

Small mercies: Boyns continues to climb the Midweek XI charts, 2nd for runs and 5th for wickets, proof there's method somewhere in our madness. As for the rest of us — heads up, chins out, and back to the nets. Not our day, but rarely is cricket short of another one.

Thu 11 Aug 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Band of Brothers CC · HomeformLWLLL

Beaten by 3 wickets to Band of Brothers CC, Thursday 11 August 2016

Won the toss, took first knock without a second thought — with a pitch like that, you always fancy your chances setting a target rather than chasing one. And I'll admit I was rather pleased watching us motor to 225/8 from 47.2 overs. Daniel Thirkell led the way with a fine 61, Joshua Knowler played the innings of a sensible man for an unbeaten 52, and Benjamin Austin chipped in a tidy 27. Even the tail had ideas above its station, wagging its way to a final 44 that had the fielding side rather grumpier than they let on. Thirty-eight extras rounded things off nicely — not always something to boast of, but we'll take the runs however they come.

Defending it proved rather harder than setting it. Early joy when M Deveson departed without troubling the scorers — the first duck of the afternoon, and briefly it felt like our day. But A Newport's fine 63, backed up by Alexander Cornwallis's unbeaten 47 and J Quensell's 39, dragged them back into it, with a second-wicket stand of 92 doing most of the damage. Martin Harris toiled magnificently for 3-37, Will Thirkell was miserly as ever with 2-50 and two maidens, and Tim Wright picked up 1-37 — but a cussed last-wicket pair added an unwanted 40 and got them home by 3 wickets with two overs in hand.

A losing effort, then, but not a shameful one. Knowler still tops our run charts, Harris our wicket charts, and there's a season yet to put this right. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 07 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Kings Hill CC · HomeformLLLWL

Sunday the 7th of August found us hosting Kings Hill CC under grey, damp skies — the sort of afternoon that promises rain and delivers runs instead, mostly theirs. I lost the toss, they chose to bat, and by the time the dust settled they'd racked up a handsome 258 for 5 from their forty overs. David Tibbles led the charge with a fine 59, well supported by Gary Jackson's 56 and Graham Hutchins' 51 — three half-centuries is not a bowling figure any captain enjoys reading back. Kevin Presneill did what he could with 2-53, Anton Bourdillon chipped in 1-38 and Darrell Houghton-Judge 1-50, but the writing was on the pavilion wall.

Chasing 259, we mustered a battling 175 for 9. Presneill, having bowled his heart out, then top-scored with 80, and Anton Bourdillon held firm for an unbeaten 28, the pair's 61-run stand for the eighth wicket the one passage of real defiance. Elsewhere it was grim viewing: Trevor Back, Nat Presneill and Charles Curteis all walked for nought, and your captain contributed a golden blob of his own — leading from the front is meant to mean something, and on this occasion it meant leading the retreat. Extras did rather better than most of us with 27.

One bright note: Presneill's 80 nudges him past Stuart Cheesman to 22nd on the club's all-time run list. Small mercies. Beaten by 83 runs — not our day. Back to the nets.

Sun 07 Aug 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Worth CC · AwayformLWWWL

As it turned out at Worth, we lost the toss and were put in — no bad thing, as it transpired, since the bat did rather a lot of talking. Jordan Austin played the innings of the day with a superb 92, and once the openers had put on 105 for the first wicket the platform was set for something substantial. Lewis Burnham's well-crafted 53 and Will Thew's 42 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely, and even the extras column pitched in a generous 38, as the boys in the field at Worth will no doubt attest. We closed on a handsome 286/8 from our 40, which felt like rather more runs than most Sunday sides know what to do with.

And so it proved. Martin Harris, spinning away merrily, was simply unplayable, running through Worth's order for 5-40 and continuing his season-long assault on the wicket charts. The Knowler brothers did their bit too — Angus tidy and miserly with 2-41 and a couple of maidens, Joshua chipping in with 1-16 — while poor Chris Crofts departed without so much as troubling the scorers. Only Harry Spence, with a fine 74, and Bob Spence's supporting 22 in a 58-run third-wicket stand, threatened to make a match of it, but Worth were bowled out for 182 in 35.5 overs. I even found time to contribute 22 of my own, mostly by accident.

A comfortable 104-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Benjamin Austin and Martin Harris continue to lead the way with bat and ball respectively, and long may it continue.

Sat 06 Aug 2016 🧢 2nd XIv LC Limpsfield Chart CC · HomeformLWWLW

Beaten but not bowed — that's the honest summary of our afternoon against Limpsfield Chart CC. Losing the toss on a warm, cloudy Saturday meant we were shipped into the field, and after a nervy start for the visitors — a wicket down with just 1 on the board — Abdullah Rehman (93) and Ashraful Talukdar (53 not out) put together a stand that did rather more damage than we'd have liked, with Pete O'Rourke chipping in 23 and a stubborn 66-run eighth-wicket partnership rubbing salt in the wound. Tim Wright was the pick of our attack by some distance, 3-51 with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, well backed up by Tobey Castle (2-32) and Riley Butler (2-60). At least Martin Phillips departed for a duck at our hands, which we'll take what small comfort we can from. 260/9 from their forty overs was always going to be a tall order.

Chasing it, we never quite found the fluency required. An early wobble to 3-1 set the tone, and though Glen Rawson batted beautifully for his 59, ably assisted by Tobey Castle's 24 and a promising 65-run fourth-wicket stand, the required rate crept away from us. Richard Piper fell for a duck, and as for your captain — I contributed a golden nought that the less said about, the better.

153/6 in reply was a brave effort but no match for the total set, and we went down by 107 runs. On the bright side, Tobey Castle continues to sit second in the 2nd XI run charts and Tim Wright leads the wicket-takers — small mercies in an afternoon that otherwise belonged to Limpsfield Chart. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sat 06 Aug 2016 🧢 1st XIv LC Locksbottom CC · AwayformWWWLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 06 August 2016, away at Locksbottom CC.

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once I can say the decision looked good rather than merely defensible. James Piper set about the Locksbottom attack in imperious fashion, finishing unbeaten on 96 — cruelly stranded one boundary short of a hundred, though nobody watching would call it anything less than a captain's innings. Mark Christmas chipped in a tidy 33, Daniel Thirkell added 27, and even our extras column got in on the act with a generous 39. Six overs left unused and 228/4 on the board — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

In the field, the shackles went on early. Matthew Carter was outstanding, tearing through with 4-52, while Tim Thirkell bowled with real discipline — 3-41 including two maidens, not a run given away cheaply. Martin Harris weighed in with a wicket too, and I even managed 33 with the bat when my turn came around in reply. Tom Seagrim's 38 was the best Locksbottom could offer, with Mark Trevatt and Tom Payne chipping in either side of 20, but 164 all out from 34.3 overs was never going to trouble a total like ours.

A tidy personal landmark for James Piper along the way, edging into the club's top fourteen run-scorers, with Daniel Thirkell also nudging up the wicket-taking charts. Sixty-four runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly deserved — Locksbottom never got a sniff.

Sun 31 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Boughton-under-Blean CC · AwayformWLLLW

As the honorary match reporter for Linton Park, here's the report.

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From the captain's chair, Sunday 31 July 2016 — an away trip to Boughton-under-Blean CC, and a day that promised much before quietly deflating in the manner club cricket does best.

Losing the toss and being asked to field first is never the news you want on the coach journey over, but 210 all out from 39.3 overs was a perfectly respectable riposte. Richard Piper led from the front with a handsome 64, Kevin Presneill matched him stride for stride with a fine 62, and Darrell Houghton-Judge chipped in a tidy 27. A generous 30 extras rounded things out nicely, which says as much about Boughton's discipline as our own batting. Special mention, as ever, to Tim Thirkell, who contributed his customary golden duck — a man of admirable consistency, if not in the way he'd choose.

With the ball, the lads toiled honestly. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with a superb 2-12, well backed by Thirkell (2-28, two maidens — clearly saving his best for the ball rather than the bat) and Glen Rawson (1-26). But Dave Carter's commanding 79, with useful support from Charlie Entwhistle (36) and Tom Hulks (33), edged Boughton home at 216-6.

As for the skipper, a golden blob — leading by example, just not the example one hopes for. Small consolation that Piper tops our Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 207, and Thirkell sits third in the wickets, proving there's method in among the ducks.

Not our day. Down by four wickets, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 31 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Smarden CC · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 31st July found us hosting Smarden CC under skies that couldn't decide whether to shine or sulk — warm enough for shirtsleeves, wet enough to keep everyone guessing. I lost the toss, as is customary these days, and Smarden had few doubts about their intentions with bat in hand.

Their openers set about us with real purpose, ticking along to 100 before we prised the first one out, and from there William Berry (77) and Richard Turney (58) built handsomely on that platform, with Julian Bashford chipping in 21. Only Adrian Denny departed cheaply, undone for a duck, but by then the damage to our figures was done and Smarden closed on a stout 215-6 from their forty overs. Credit where due — Sam Boyns toiled away for 1-27 with two tidy maidens, while Joshua Knowler and James Piper picked up a wicket apiece, both proving admirable support acts in a day that offered few rewards for honest endeavour.

Chasing 216 was always going to ask questions of us, and though James Piper batted beautifully for his 86, precious little support materialised around him, and we subsided to 158-8, a good 57 runs shy of the target.

Elsewhere in the season, Benjamin Austin continues to top our run charts with 328, and Jordan Austin sits second among the wicket-takers with 14 — small consolations on an afternoon that otherwise belonged to Smarden. Verdict: outbatted, outbowled, out-thought — back to the nets, lads.

Sat 30 Jul 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · HomeformLLWWL

Saturday brought Sissinghurst CC to Linton Park under a warm, drizzly sky — the sort of afternoon that makes a captain wish he'd packed a bigger umbrella and a smaller ego. I lost the toss, they stuck us in, and off we went regardless.

We posted 158 for 8 from our 40 overs, built almost entirely around Jordan Austin's magnificent 92, with Tobey Castle chipping in a handy 38 alongside him. Elsewhere the scorebook wasn't so kind — Richard Piper, Chris Newman and Luke Welsman all departed without troubling the scorers, and your correspondent must own up to a duck of his own, about which the less said the better.

Defending 158 in the drizzle felt a touch optimistic, but the bowlers had other ideas. Ian Hollingworth was superb, 3 for 37, with Stuart Campbell (2-16) and Tim Wright (2-25) squeezing hard, and Castle adding two tidy maidens for good measure. Sissinghurst fought through Tony Reader's unbeaten 36, Karl Bryant's 22 and Colin Jenkins's 20, but both Knowlers, Andrew and Angus, went cheaply, and 149 all out from 38.5 overs left them nine runs shy.

A word for the season charts while we're here: Castle now sits third in the 2nd XI's run-scorers with 178, and Wright tops the wicket-takers with 14 — form well worth watching.

A fine win by nine runs, earned in conditions that suited nobody but somehow suited us. Onwards.

Sat 30 Jul 2016 🧢 1st XIv LK Leigh CC, Kent · AwayformWWWWL

James Piper strolled to three figures at Leigh CC on a warm, showery Saturday, and not for the first time this season I found myself grateful I'd won the toss and stuck us in to bat. Piper's 102 was the innings of the day, and with Adam Jackson biffing a fine 51 and Lewis Burnham chipping in 20, we hauled ourselves to a very respectable 207/7 from our forty overs. I won't dwell too long on the rest of the order — Kevin Presneill, Mark Christmas and Alex Keeler all contributed the same golden nothing, three ducks in a row being rather more solidarity than we needed, but with runs enough in the bank it mattered little.

Then out came the ball, and out came Richard Knowler's wrist, spinning through Leigh like a man possessed for a quite magnificent 5-29. Marcus Parfett's 31 and Darren Flint's 20 were the only real resistance, and with Alex Keeler (2-24) and Tim Thirkell (2-40) mopping up either side of Knowler, and Joshua Knowler refusing to leak so much as a run through two tidy maidens, Leigh were bowled out for 137 in 31.3 overs.

A 70-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Piper now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 428, and Knowler's wickets column reads a rather startling 26. Onwards indeed — if this is club cricket in decline, I dread to think what winning looks like.

Sun 24 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Chelsfield Park CC · AwayformLWLLL

Skipper's Log, Sunday 24 July 2016 — Chelsfield Park CC, and a warm, overcast afternoon that felt made for cricket, which was just as well as I'd promised the lads a proper day out. Won the toss, and there was never any doubt I'd bat first on that surface. We rattled along to 222/8 from our 40, with Will Thew the class act of the innings on 64, well supported by Nat Presneill (33) and Trevor Back, unbeaten on 33. Special mention, too, to the extras column, which weighed in with 47 of its own — practically an all-rounder in its own right. Not every man's day, mind: Oliver Holdstock's golden duck will live with him a little longer than he'd like.

With the ball, we were relentless. Chelsfield Park were bowled out for 172 in 36.4 overs, Seb Stanbridge (37) their best resistance, but Sam Boyns was the story of the innings with a superb 4-10, backed by Jordan Austin (3-26) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-35), while Tim Thirkell strangled the scoring with four maidens. Poor Ruwan Rathnayaka and Hilary Breeze departed for ducks of their own, and Holdstock had a busy old time behind the stumps, 10 byes the only blemish on an otherwise triumphant afternoon.

Two milestones for the mantelpiece — Will Thew's 3,000th club run, and Jordan Austin's 50th career wicket. A fifty-run victory, two points banked, and not a soul in the changing room disagreeing that it was thoroughly deserved.

Sat 23 Jul 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Kemsing CC · AwayformLLLWW

We travelled to Kemsing on a warm, damp Saturday, and having called correctly at the toss, I fancied our chances in the field and stuck them in without a moment's hesitation. In hindsight, a touch more hesitation might have served us well. Grahame Wood made an utter mockery of our bowling attack with a superb 120, and his opening stand of 186 with Jake Wood (66) set a platform from which Kemsing never looked like retreating. James Walkling's 32 was almost an afterthought by the time they declared their innings closed at 264 for 3. Credit where it's due — Ian Hollingworth toiled manfully for 1 for 32 with two tidy maidens, while Stuart Campbell and Tobey Castle picked up a wicket apiece, though the damage was long done.

Chasing 265 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. Richard Piper battled to 43, well supported by David Castle's 25 and an unbeaten 22 from Tobey Castle, but a middle-order collapse from 82 for 2 to 91 for 5 rather took the wind out of our sails. I contributed 43 myself, for what little comfort that offered, and poor Dan Corpe endured the walk of shame with a duck to add to the club's ever-growing tally.

We finished 141 runs shy in the end — a chastening afternoon, though Piper's continued form atop the season's run charts and Hollingworth's wickets are cause for quiet cheer. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 23 Jul 2016 🧢 1st XIv Cudham Wyse CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday brought Cudham Wyse CC to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide between warm and wet, which felt about right for how the afternoon eventually panned out. I called correctly and had no hesitation putting us in, and for a good while it looked a fine decision as Lewis Burnham set about compiling a superb 98, well shy of the century he deserved but the backbone of everything we did. Matthew Carter's 33 and Thomas Beeney's unbeaten 25 gave him company, and their 116-run fourth-wicket stand was the innings in a nutshell. Richard Knowler's contribution was rather more modest — a golden duck to open his account — but with extras chipping in 30, we closed on a healthy 209/5 from our forty overs.

Two hundred and nine looked defendable, and for long stretches it was. Cudham Wyse stumbled early to 4-1 and we had them rocking, but Furqaan Sohail's 44, backed by Tameem Shaik's 42 and Asif Nazir's 37, steadied the ship, with a third-wicket stand of 67 doing the damage. Matthew Carter did his bit with bat and ball alike, taking 3-37, while Richard Knowler made amends for his duck with 2-48, and Thomas Beeney chipped in with 1-33. Jd Hussain at least fell for nought to remind us we could still take wickets when it mattered.

In the end they got there by two wickets, and there's no dressing that up. Credit to Thomas Beeney and Richard Knowler for flying the flag near the top of the season's charts, but for the rest of us it's heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sun 17 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC · HomeformLLWLL

Wet toss lost, wetter conditions — Sunday 17 July always did have a habit of picking sides before we did. Asked to field first against Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow, we watched Jamie Ward play the innings of the afternoon, 53 well-constructed runs, with Colin Benham (33) and Barry Roles (30) making sure we never quite got a foothold. Gary Ryan departed without troubling the scorers, which was about the only mercy going. Tim Thirkell was the pick of us with 2-17, Darrell Houghton-Judge chipped in 2-46, and Tim Wright bowled with real discipline — 1-39 and three maidens to show a batsman can be starved as well as beaten. 202/6 from their forty overs felt like a lot, and it was.

Chasing under increasingly showery skies, Trevor Back led from the front with 43, Nat Presneill supported nicely with 37, and Richard Piper's 25 included the small matter of his 13,000th career run for the club — a mantelpiece moment if ever there was one. The third-wicket pair put on a crucial 67 to give us hope, and even your captain managed a workmanlike 18. Darrell Houghton-Judge's golden duck balanced the ledger somewhat, and the extras column's generous 33 did more work than any of us cared to admit. 191/6 in the end, eleven runs shy.

Richard Piper continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 134, and Tim Wright the wicket-takers with eight — small consolations on a damp, deflating afternoon. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 16 Jul 2016 🧢 2nd XIv FC Flimwell CC · HomeformLLLLW

Saturday 16th July, and Flimwell came calling on a warm, grey afternoon that felt exactly as English club cricket should. I won the toss and elected to bat, which I'll admit felt like the correct call at the time and, happily, turned out to be one too.

We set about building a total with real purpose. Richard Piper played the innings of the day, 82 not out, calm and commanding throughout, with Ray Dixon (28) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (20) offering fine support as we posted 194 for 8 from our 40 overs. Not everyone's afternoon went to plan, mind — Tobey Castle took the walk of shame for a duck, joining the club's less illustrious ledger, though he'd more than make amends with the ball later.

Defending 194, we bowled with real discipline. Flimwell were never allowed to settle, Martin Rigby's 20 the only real resistance, while John Bates departed for a duck of his own at our hands. Tim Wright was magnificent, 4 for 38, with Ian Hollingworth (2-15) and Harrison Fermor (1-13) chipping in handsomely, and Tobey Castle's two maidens showed he'd learned his lesson with the bat. Flimwell folded for 106 in 31.1 overs.

An 88-run victory, then — and a thoroughly satisfying personal 82 to boot. With Piper and Wright now clear at the top of the season's charts, this was Linton Park at its best. Onwards indeed.

Sat 16 Jul 2016 🧢 1st XIv UC Underriver CC · AwayformWWWWW

Away at Underriver on Saturday 16 July, I won the toss and, with the sky doing its best village-green impression, sent the opposition in. It proved the right call, more or less, as we bowled them out for 145 in 39.5 overs. Will Dobbs held firm for 44, but the rest offered little resistance — Paul Southall and Chris Close both trudged off for ducks, undone by an attack in fine voice. Tim Thirkell was the chief tormentor with 3-18, Richard Knowler chipped in with 3-38, Matthew Carter took 1-29, and Alex Keeler bowled two maidens that gave nothing away but frustration.

Chasing 146, we made harder work of it than the scoreboard perhaps suggests, stumbling to 147/6 from 29.3 overs. Kevin Presneill led the charge with a fine 41, Daniel Thirkell supported nicely with 29, and Richard Knowler saw us home unbeaten on 22. Alex Keeler's day went from bowling gold to batting blank with a golden duck, while I contributed a workmanlike 29 of my own. The extras column, ever reliable, weighed in with 33 — practically an opening partnership.

Special mention must go to Thomas Beeney, who made his 200th appearance in Linton colours and, with his solitary wicket, climbed past Tony Gauna into 18th on the club's all-time list — a career, not just a match, worth toasting. Daniel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts this summer, Richard Knowler our wickets.

A scratchy but thoroughly satisfying 4-wicket win. We'll take it, and toast it properly.

Wed 13 Jul 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformLLWLL

Wednesday the thirteenth of July found us hosting on a pleasant, showery afternoon — the kind where you check the sky as often as the scoreboard. I won the toss and elected to bat, and for a while I felt rather pleased with myself for it. Sam Boyns led the way with 41, well supported by Jordan Austin's 31, but between them the middle order rather lost the plot: 47-2 became 47-5 before we'd caught breath, and ducks for Trevor Back and Will Thew didn't help the cause. We limped to 128/9 from our 51 overs, a total that felt light before we'd even taken the field.

And so it proved. They replied with 129/4 in a brisk 24.1 overs, though we did have them at 8-1 and allowed ourselves a flicker of hope. That flicker was extinguished by a stand of 93 for the second wicket, built around a- Newport's fine 62 and steadied by J- Quensell's unbeaten 41 and a- Hill's 23. Full credit to Tim Wright, who fought hardest with 2-37, with Jordan Austin (1-10) and Tobey Castle (1-22) chipping in — the pair of ducks we prised from a- Mills and L- Cross were scant consolation.

One shaft of light: Jordan Austin brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and leads our 2016 Midweek XI run charts to boot, with Tobey Castle second among the wickets. But the day itself belonged to them — beaten by six wickets. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sun 10 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · AwayformLLLWL

Beaten but not bowed, we returned from New Ifield on the 10th under skies more grey than golden, having chosen not the toss but the field regardless — always a mixed blessing on a Sunday when the tea urn hasn't even boiled yet.

Batting first, we mustered 131 all out in 34.1 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Will Thew, whose 56 was the innings' backbone, and Tim Wright, whose 32 gave it some much-needed muscle round the middle. Beyond that, truth be told, it rather petered out — the sort of collapse that has you studying your boots with unusual interest.

With the ball we huffed and puffed gamely enough — John Karassellos led the attack with a tidy 1-17 — but New Ifield simply had too much petrol in the tank. Joe Lawrence's unbeaten 66 was a class apart, and Tony Reely's well-constructed 53 made sure there was no way back; 133 for 1 in just 13.5 overs told its own story, and a brutal one at that.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, there was at least the consolation of Richard Piper sitting proudly second in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 109 to his name — proof that somewhere in this ramshackle outfit, runs are still being scored with distinction.

Beaten by nine wickets, then, and no arguing with it. We'll dust ourselves off, put the kettle on, and be better for it next week.

Sun 10 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWLWW

It was Meopham CC at home on Sunday, a pleasant, grey sort of afternoon for it, and I won the toss — elected to bat, and for once I'll take the credit, because it was the right call. We posted 198 all out from 39.1 overs, built on a proper platform: the openers put on 74 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers, and a stand of 83 for the fourth wicket did the real heavy lifting. Benjamin Austin's 51 was the innings of the day, with James Piper (44) and Nat Presneill (35) lending fine support, and 26 extras chipped in for good measure — though the last three wickets went in an unseemly rush from 192 to all out. Spare a thought for Tobey Castle, Joshua Knowler and Sam Boyns, who all took the walk of shame for nought.

In the field we squeezed them out for 196 all in the last over, Alex Bryant's unbeaten 77 the only real thorn, ably assisted by David Pollard (40) and Patrick Emmitt (24). Jordan Austin was magnificent with 3-13, backed up by Sam Boyns (2-31) and Martin Harris (1-17), while George Tompkins departed for a duck at our hands.

As for the skipper, a golden blob — leadership by example clearly stops at the crease. No matter: two points, won by the barest of margins, 2 runs, and thoroughly, nervously earned.

Sat 09 Jul 2016 🧢 2nd XIv CC Chevening Amblers CC · AwayformLLLLL

Saturday 9th July, and off we trundled to Chevening Amblers under grey skies that threatened rather more than they delivered. Losing the toss meant we were straight into the field with no time to finish our tea, but no complaints — that's village cricket for you.

Batting first, we posted a respectable 135/6 from our forty overs, built on a fine unbeaten 38 from Chris Newman, well supported by Will Thew's 24. Special mention, in the interests of full disclosure, must go to poor Luke Welsman, whose duck will not be troubling the highlights reel. Fortunately our extras column did rather more scoring than some of the top order, contributing a generous 27 — we'll take runs however they come.

In the field, Chevening fought hard but never quite got away from us, bowled out for 115 in 37.3 overs. Paul Kent (23) and Mark Burkitt (22) did the honest legwork for them, but Ian Hollingworth was the real story, ripping through with 3-15, backed superbly by Tim Wright, equally miserly with 3-15 and four maidens to boot, and Chris Newman chipping in with 1-28 for good measure.

Newman, incidentally, now leads our 2nd XI run charts for the season with 182, while Wright tops the wicket-takers with 8 — form both men carried handsomely into this one.

Twenty runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly deserved both. A proper team effort, duck notwithstanding.

Sat 09 Jul 2016 🧢 1st XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday 9 July 2016, Hadlow CC visiting on a pleasant, cloudy afternoon — the kind of day that promises very little and occasionally delivers a lot. I lost the toss, we were sent to field, and I can't say I minded overmuch; there's a certain honesty in getting the graft out of the way early.

Hadlow made 131 all out in 34.5 overs, Will Kennett doing the damage with 55, but once he departed we went through the middle and lower order like a hot knife — 115-5 became 124-8 before anyone had time to get comfortable, and poor Mike Mernagh was sent back for a golden duck without so much as troubling the scorers. Tim Thirkell led from the front with 2-20, Richard Knowler chipped in with 2-21 (two miserly maidens besides), and Thomas Beeney matched him with 2-35. A proper team effort with the ball.

Chasing 132, we lost an early wicket with just 8 on the board and I'll admit to a flutter of nerves in the pavilion. But Daniel Thirkell — now well clear at the top of the season's run charts — steadied things with a fine 53, and the second-wicket stand added a crucial 70. James Piper (40 not out) and Adam Jackson (26 not out) saw us home in 20.1 overs, finishing 135-2. My own 53 was, I'll confess, rather satisfying.

An eight-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly good day at the office. Onwards.

Thu 07 Jul 2016 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformLLLWL

Thursday 7 July 2016, a pleasant cloudy afternoon, and a rare stroke of fortune from the coin sent us into bat first — I daresay I'd have made the same call myself, but it was nice not to have to think about it.

The lads made handsome use of it. We powered to 156 for 1 off our twenty overs, Lewis Burnham finishing unbeaten on 22, with Martin Harris (22 not out) and Jordan Austin (21 not out) offering the sort of support that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy. A total to be proud of, and one that had me quietly rehearsing my victory remarks over tea.

Alas, cricket has a way of humbling the presumptuous. The visitors chased with real purpose, reaching 134 for 6 from their twenty, built chiefly around a stand of 73 for the fourth wicket between O Iqbal (23 not out) and Joe Panter (22 not out) that took the game away from us just as we thought we had it in hand. Tim Thirkell toiled magnificently for 3 for 15, with Tobey Castle (2-20) and Martin Harris (1-6) chipping in nobly, but it wasn't quite enough to hold the tide.

So, defeat by 22 runs — not our day, and no dressing it up. Lewis Burnham now leads our 2016 run charts and Tim Thirkell the wickets, so there are bright spots amid the gloom. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets: we'll have this lot next time.

Sun 03 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Herne CC · AwayformLLLLW

Down by 84 runs at Herne CC on a damp Sunday afternoon, 3 July 2016 — the coin didn't fall our way, and it turned out to be the story of the day.

Losing the toss on a pleasant, if soggy, afternoon meant we were straight into the field, and Herne set about building a total with the sort of patience that makes a captain's tea go cold. Carl Perez was the chief architect with a well-made 61, given sturdy support by Neil Robinson's unbeaten 44 and Chris French's 36, and by the time the 40 overs were up they'd posted 227 for 4 — a total with a bit more heft than we'd have liked. Darrell Houghton-Judge toiled manfully for 2-48, with Tim Thirkell and Luke Welsman chipping in a wicket apiece, but 18 wides and 7 no-balls were a generosity we could ill afford against a side already well set.

Chasing 228 was always going to ask questions of us, and though Russell Dack held things together with an unbeaten 30, well supported by Houghton-Judge's 30 and Nat Presneill's 20, wickets fell around them at the other end — Luke Welsman and Charles Curteis both undone for ducks — and we stalled at 143 for 9.

Elsewhere there's cause for a raised eyebrow of pride: Richard Piper sits second in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 107, and Houghton-Judge second in the wicket charts with 5. Small mercies. On the day, though, this was Herne's afternoon by 84 runs, and ours to reflect on quietly. Heads up, lads — back to the nets.

Sun 03 Jul 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Woodchurch CC · HomeformLLWLW

James Piper's fifty is the sort of innings you build a Sunday around, and thank heavens he obliged, because this was a day that hinged on that top order making hay. We lost the toss on a damp, decent afternoon at Linton Park, were sent in against Woodchurch, and set about accumulating rather than swashbuckling — Piper's 52 the anchor, Lewis Burnham's 43 and Laurie Probert's 31 giving it proper substance, with a tidy 51-run second-wicket stand doing the donkey work. 188/7 from our forty felt like a competitive total rather than a match-winning one, which meant a nervy tea.

Woodchurch's openers had other ideas, cantering to 60 before the first breakthrough, and for a while it looked like our lovely afternoon of runs might count for nothing. But Sam Boyns bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who's misplaced his cheque book (three maidens), Jordan Austin picked up a fine 3-32, and Martin Harris and Riley Butler chipped in with two apiece to peg them back to 167/9. Matthew Barton departed for a golden duck, which never fails to lift the fielding side's spirits slightly more than is charitable. My wicketkeeper had a torrid time of it — sixteen byes is not a number one puts in the report with any pride, but slip it did, and Woodchurch's Gary Sargent (32) couldn't quite drag them over the line.

Twenty-one runs the right way, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Jordan Austin and Martin Harris continuing to lead the way in the season's charts. We'll take that, byes and all.

Sun 26 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC · HomeformWLLWL

It was a drizzly old Sunday at home to Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill, and for once the coin cooperated — I called it right and, with the outfield looking lively under grey skies, had no hesitation in sticking us in. Joshua Knowler and the openers set about proving me right in style, the pair putting on 84 before the first wicket finally went down, and from there Knowler carried the innings beautifully to a fine 65. Jordan Austin chipped in handsomely with 53 and Lewis Burnham a useful 26 to see us to a healthy 195/7 from our 40 overs. Poor Lee Bennett was the one blot on an otherwise cheerful scorecard, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers — these things happen to the best of us, and I dare say he'll get one next week.

With 195 to defend, the bowlers took the game by the scruff of the neck. Kevin Shipton battled to 35 and got support from Stephen Negus (24) and David Hayward (23), but Holcombe never really got away from us, sliding from 101/3 to 113/6 in a spell that had me grinning from mid-off. Tobey Castle was the pick of the attack — miserly, metronomic, and thoroughly deserving of his 3-12 with two maidens thrown in for good measure — while Jordan Austin (2-2) and Joshua Knowler (2-6) mopped up either end. Rob Baldwin and Jamie Woodhouse both departed without scoring, and the visitors were bowled out for 136.

A 59-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort of afternoon that makes the drizzle entirely worth it.

Sun 19 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Sibton Park CC · HomeformLWLWW

Beaten by 67 runs, but there's no shame in it — not against a Sibton Park side with Steve Hickmott in that kind of mood.

I called it right at the toss on Sunday and, with the sun out and the outfield looking quick, elected to field. It looked the shrewder decision for about twenty overs. Then Hickmott decided he fancied his afternoon, and 119 not out later, arm-in-a-sling proud, we were the ones licking our wounds. Terry Dunham chipped in with a supporting 25, and Sibton posted a healthy 186/9 from their forty. Credit where it's due: Joshua Knowler bowled beautifully for 4-31, Will Thirkell was tight as you like with two maidens on the way to 2-50, and Richard Knowler picked up one for 40. We even had the consolation of two ducks at our hands — Matthew Goldbacher and Adam Lamberton back in the hutch without troubling the scorers.

With the bat, 187 was always going to ask serious questions of us, and we didn't have the answers. Daniel Thirkell fought hardest for his 39, I managed to match him with 39 of my own, but wickets fell around us and 119 all out in 32.2 overs told its own story — Matthew Carter's duck the low point on an otherwise scrappy card.

So, beaten by 67 runs, and fair play to the visitors. Daniel Thirkell still tops our season's run charts and Joshua Knowler leads the wickets, so the engine room is running well even if the chassis rattled this week. We'll dust ourselves down, have a pint, and fancy our chances again next Sunday.

Sun 19 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv RC Rolvenden CC · HomeformWLLLL

Sunday 19 June saw Rolvenden CC roll up to Linton Park on an afternoon that couldn't quite decide whether it was cricket weather or not — pleasant enough, but with a persistent drizzle that had several of us eyeing the covers between overs. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock, a decision I'm rather pleased to report vindicated itself in full.

We batted with real purpose, posting 207/5 from our forty overs. Richard Piper played the innings of the day with a fine 67, and Tobey Castle gave him excellent company with 45 of his own — the pair doing the heavy lifting while the extras column weighed in with a generous 44 for good measure.

Defending that total, we found Rolvenden in no mood to go quietly, with Steve Stickels compiling a stubborn 51 and getting support from Nick Stickels (31) and an unbeaten 26 from Hector Raw. But three of their number — Dave Barrett, Rory Goodger and Chris Wood — trooped back without so much as troubling the scorers, and it was Martin Harris who did the real damage with 4-41, backed superbly by Tim Wright's 2-25 (two maidens included, not a run given away lightly) and Benjamin Austin's 2-51. Rolvenden were bowled out for 192 in 38.4 overs.

A fine win by 15 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work in the drizzle. Onwards.

Sat 18 Jun 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformDLLLL

Not our finest hour, but here it is.

The lads and I made our way down to Penshurst Park on a damp, promising afternoon, and having called correctly at the toss I saw no reason to do anything but bowl. Sometimes you just fancy your chances with the ball in your hand and a bit of moisture underfoot, and for a good while it looked the right call. Tim Wright was magnificent, tearing in for 3-22 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, and Matthew Gladwell chipped in nicely with 2-24. Anton Bourdillon picked up a wicket too, and poor Hinesh Pandya departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers. Penshurst's David Smith had other ideas, though, grinding out 38, well supported by Farooqui's 33 and Mike Smith's 28, and between them they dragged their side to 164 all out in 38.1 overs — rather more than our earlier heroics deserved.

With 165 needed, we never quite found our rhythm. Trevor Back battled to 27, David Castle chipped in with 24 and Matthew Gladwell, busy with bat as well as ball, added 21, but wickets fell around them and we subsided to 99/6 from our 40 overs. Tobey Castle's golden duck rather summed up our afternoon with the willow.

Down by 65 runs, then, and no dressing it up. A good toss decision, a fine bowling display, and a batting effort that simply wasn't there. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets — Penshurst have our measure for now, but there's better cricket in this side yet.

Sat 18 Jun 2016 🧢 1st XIv IC Ightham CC · HomeformWWWWW

Ah, another Saturday, another toss won and immediately overthought for approximately half a second before common sense prevailed: bowl first. The 18th of June brought us Ightham CC and one of those showery, muggy afternoons that make a captain's decision at the toss feel briefly like genius.

And so it proved. Andrew Moodie's 40, well supported by Ben Hemmings' 25, gave the visitors something to build on, but our attack refused to let them settle, dragging them from a promising 75-4 back down to 89-7 with the kind of relentless probing that has opposition batsmen muttering into their gloves. Richard Knowler was superb, 2-5 off a miserly five maidens, while Joshua Knowler (2-22) and Ian Hollingworth (2-34) chipped in handsomely. Matthew Bentall and Will Canniford both departed for ducks, which I shall diplomatically describe as character-building. All out — sorry, not quite, 123/9 from their 37 overs.

Chasing 124, we made light work of it. Craig Sands, imperious, cruised to 70 not out, ushered home by Daniel Thirkell's unbeaten 23 — itself notable, as those two wickets earlier had nudged Daniel past Thomas Beeney into 19th on the club's all-time list. I contributed a modest 23 of my own, mostly by staying out of Craig's way. Nine wickets to spare, job done.

A thoroughly good day for the club, and with Craig now top of the season's run charts and Richard leading the wickets, this Linton Park side is quietly building something rather special.

Sun 12 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bilsington CC · HomeformWWLLL

Sunday 12 June saw Bilsington CC roll into Linton Park on a pleasant, damp afternoon that promised runs for anyone brave enough to trust the surface. I lost the toss — some things never change — and we were put in to bat, which at least spared me the walk out to inspect a pitch I'd have understood no better for looking at it.

Tobey Castle set about proceedings with real intent, striking a marvellous 80, and found willing company in a third-wicket stand of 90 alongside Adam Jackson (26) and David Castle (26), who between them shored up the middle order beautifully. I added a watchful 26 of my own, and we closed on a healthy 162/5 from our 40 overs — a total that felt like it ought to be defendable on a slow afternoon like this one.

It wasn't to be. Danny Samson played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 62, ably assisted by Adam Martin's classy 51, and the pair put on 85 for the fifth wicket to drag the game away from us. Stuart Campbell (2-16) and Tim Wright (2-33) kept plugging away, with Adam Whitehead chipping in a wicket too, but Bilsington got home by four wickets with an over to spare. David Castle had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes leaking through, and Paul Webb and Andy Robinson departed without troubling the scorers.

A losing afternoon, then, but not a disgraceful one — plenty to build on, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 12 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wye CC · AwayformWWLLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 12 June 2016. Away to Wye CC, and the coin fell against us before we'd even taken the field, so it was pads on and pray for our lads once their innings closed.

We had first use of the ball, for what little good it did us. Max Campbell settled in for a fine 82, with Neil Williams unbeaten on a well-made 76 and Matt Barnes chipping in 29 as Wye racked up 246/4 from their forty overs. Credit where due — Will Thirkell kept plugging away for 2-28, with Martin Harris (1-58) and Ryan Boyns (1-60) also among the wickets, though on this pitch even our best work felt like bailing out a rowing boat with a teacup.

Chasing 247 was always going to want something special, and it never arrived. Matthew Gladwell's 25 top-scored in a reply that folded to 110 all out in 27.5 overs, while poor Nat Presneill and Joshua Knowler both departed for golden ducks. I managed a workmanlike 19 myself, for what it was worth. Nine byes told their own sorry tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Luke Welsman.

Down by 136 runs, then — no dressing it up. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets for the lot of us.

Sun 05 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv GC Great Chart CC · AwayformWWWLL

Sunday 5 June found us on the road to Great Chart, under skies of that particular English grey that promises rain and rarely quite delivers it. I lost the toss — a habit I'm rather cultivating this season — and we were asked to bowl first, which at least spared us the walk out in the muggy heat straight away.

With the bat, having been sent in, we found ourselves 5 for 1 rather sooner than anyone would have liked, and I confess a few of us were mentally composing excuses before lunch had even settled. But James Piper played a lovely hand of 47, and a fine 79-run stand for the fifth wicket — with Tim Wright chipping in 35 and Trevor Back a tidy 30 — hauled us back to something respectable. A generous 35 extras rounded us up to 169 for 6 from our 40 overs, which felt like a competitive total on a slow afternoon.

Defending it, though, we simply ran into a very good player having a very good day. James Ainsley made a commanding 56, and with Tim Barton unbeaten on 45 and Ivan Baker weighing in with 34, Great Chart's openers laid a platform of 98 before the first wicket fell, and from there the game rather slipped from our grasp. Adam Whitehead (1-22) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (1-30) did what they could, and Tim Wright bowled two tidy maidens, but they closed out at 170 for 2 with overs to spare.

Not our day, in the end — beaten by eight wickets. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 05 Jun 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Mersham Le Hatch CC · HomeformWWWLL

Skipper's Log, Sunday 5th June 2016. Mersham Le Hatch rolled up on a warm, cloudy afternoon, I won the toss, and there was never much doubt about the decision — on went the pads.

What a knock it turned out to be. Jordan Austin played the innings of the day, 96 wonderfully constructed runs, with Will Thirkell right alongside him with a fine 69 of his own, and Chris Newman chipping in an unbeaten 22 to round things off nicely. Not every man's afternoon went to plan, mind — Luke Welsman contributed a golden duck, the sort we all know too well. Even the extras got in on the act with a handy 30. All told, 262/7 from our forty overs was a total to be proud of.

With the ball, we simply never let them settle. Alex Markwick's 39 and David Hatton's 20 were the only real resistance, while three of their number — Jeremy Godden, David Khan and Khayal Maroof — departed without troubling the scorers. Thomas Beeney was magnificent, six overs, five maidens and a thoroughly deserved five-for, with Will Thirkell (3-9) and Martin Harris (1-26) mopping up either side. I'll confess a quiet satisfaction at my own 69 with the bat and three wickets to follow. A special mention, too, for Jordan Austin reaching 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark well earned.

We won by 166 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 04 Jun 2016 🧢 2nd XIv LC Limpsfield Chart CC · AwayformWDLLL

Saturday 04 June 2016, and the road took us to Limpsfield Chart CC on a warm, overcast afternoon that promised more than it delivered. Lost the toss, as seems increasingly traditional, and were put into the field. What followed was a lesson in the art of the big innings: Shekh Tanvir Ahmed strode to a majestic 129, and with Pete O'Rourke chipping in a fine 53 and Abid Suleman 24, their third-wicket stand of 124 did for us before tea was even a thought. Ian Hollingworth kept his end up nobly with 2-24, well supported by Tobey Castle (2-60) and Chris Newman (1-49), but 259/5 from 40 overs was always going to be a mountain.

And so it proved. Our reply limped to 95 all out in 24.5 overs, undone at 2-1 before we'd properly found our boots. Chris Newman's 44 was a lone flag planted on the summit, while David Castle, Darrell Houghton-Judge and Tim Wright all contributed that most traditional of club cricket offerings — the golden duck. Nine byes conceded behind the stumps rather summed up an afternoon where nothing quite stuck.

Beaten by 164 runs, no dressing it up. Still, Chris Newman leads our 2nd XI run charts for the season with 143, and Tobey Castle sits third in the wickets with four — so the ledger isn't entirely bare. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 04 Jun 2016 🧢 1st XIv LC Locksbottom CC · HomeformWWWWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 4th June, and Locksbottom CC came calling on a warm, grey sort of afternoon, the kind that seems designed for a long spell in the field. I lost the toss, as has become something of a habit, and they had no hesitation in putting us in.

Not that it troubled us much. Daniel Thirkell played a gem, 90 to lead the way, and found sturdy company in Kevin Presneill (28) and James Piper (23), the pair adding a match-defining 78 for the fourth wicket. Add in 33 extras — the bowlers' unwitting generosity — and 226/6 from our 40 overs felt like a total with some teeth in it.

Defending it meant asking the lads to go again in the field, and they obliged handsomely. Richard Knowler was the pick, a superb 3-11, with Joshua Knowler tidy and mean alongside him (2-27, three maidens) and I chipped in myself with 1-22. Sam Heron's fifty and useful knocks from David Killpack and Jack Thompson threatened to make a match of it, but 183/9 wasn't enough, and we came home 43 runs to the good.

Personally, 90 runs was satisfying enough, but the day belonged to the record books: Daniel Thirkell raised 15,000 career runs for the club, and Thomas Beeney passed 400 career wickets. Milestones like that don't come round often. A very good day for Linton Park.

Sun 29 May 2016 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday 29 May, and High Halstow CC came to Linton Park under skies that couldn't quite decide themselves — a pleasant, drizzly sort of afternoon. I lost the toss and we were put in, and for six deliveries it looked ominous as an early wicket fell with just 6 on the board. Cue nerves in the pavilion.

Order was soon restored. A third-wicket stand worth 98 dragged us back onto the front foot, and the innings simply grew from there. I'll own a certain pride in contributing 88, but the real backbone came from Adam Jackson's crisp 48 and James Piper's busy 30, the three of us steering us to a fine 258/7 from our 40 overs.

With the ball, Thomas Beeney was the story of the day — 3-16 of hostile, probing stuff that left High Halstow's middle order in all sorts of bother. Sam Boyns and Matthew Carter chipped in a wicket apiece for 26 each, and though Tim Munday's 28 offered some resistance, the visitors could only manage 131/6 from their 40.

Two footnotes worth filing away: Adam Jackson brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, and Thomas Beeney's three wickets took him past Dave Todd into 20th on our all-time list. I'm rather chuffed to find myself leading the 2016 Sunday run charts, with Sam Boyns setting the pace among the bowlers. A win by 127 runs, then — comfortable, characterful, and thoroughly satisfying. Onwards.

Sun 29 May 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv DC Detling CC · HomeformWWWWL

Sunday 29 May 2016, and Detling arrived to find Linton Park pitch soggy but spirits high — a pleasant, showery afternoon, the kind that promises rain at exactly the wrong moment for whoever's bowling. Detling won the toss and sent us in, which after 167/4 from our forty overs looked, in hindsight, rather a generous gift on their part. Benjamin Austin was magnificent, farming the strike to 68 not out and giving the innings its spine, with Luke Welsman chipping in 34 of good, honest support. Even the extras got in on the act with 41 — not quite a specialist knock, but we'll take the runs however they're offered.

Defending it should have been the easy half of the day. It wasn't. Darren McGrath played the innings of the match for Detling, 43 well-constructed runs, backed up by Simon Norcott's 32 and Joshua Town's 28, and between them they dragged their side agonisingly over the line at 168/7 with two balls in hand. Tobey Castle bowled beautifully for his 3-22, Benjamin Austin somehow found the energy to back up his batting with 3-23 with the ball, and Tim Wright was miserly throughout — 1-11 with four maidens, not a run given away lightly. Poor Dave Garety departed without troubling the scorers, as these things happen to the best of us.

Beaten by three wickets in the end, then — a match that had us by the collar and let us slip at the very last. Character-building stuff, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 28 May 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformLWDLL

Down by eight wickets at Sissinghurst on Saturday, but there's a spring in my step writing this one nonetheless — club cricket has a way of humbling you and cheering you up in the same afternoon.

Losing the toss and being asked to field first is never how you'd script it, and true to form we found ourselves all out for 132 in 36.4 overs. Richard Piper played the innings of a captain's dreams — 49 well-crafted runs — with Tobey Castle chipping in a tidy 35 alongside him. Elsewhere, it must be said, things were less romantic: Tim Wright, Stuart Campbell and Darrell Houghton-Judge all made the long, lonely walk back for ducks. Three in one innings is the sort of thing that gets you talked about in the clubhouse for all the wrong reasons.

With the ball, we scrapped hard but Sissinghurst chased down 135 for the loss of just two wickets in 29.4 overs, Philip Buckingham's 45 and Mark Simmons's unbeaten 40 doing most of the damage. Darrell Houghton-Judge, to his credit, atoned handsomely with 1-22, and Stuart Campbell weighed in with 1-23 of his own — proof that redemption is always on offer in this game. I contributed 49 with the bat myself, for what little comfort that provides.

Elsewhere in the 2016 season, Luke Welsman continues to top our run charts with 140, and Darrell Houghton-Judge sits second among the wicket-takers with five. Small mercies. As for Saturday: simply not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 28 May 2016 🧢 1st XIv LK Leigh CC, Kent · HomeformDWWWW

Craig Sands walked out with the sun trying its best on a damp Saturday, and by the time he was done he'd made it look easy — 103, three figures no less, the sort of innings that makes the rest of us in the dressing room quietly reassess our own techniques. Adam Jackson's unbeaten 54 and James Piper's 38 gave him fine company, the openers laying down 88 for the first wicket before a rock-solid 124-run stand for the third kept Leigh CC honest. Add in 35 handy extras and 236/4 from our 40 overs felt like a total with a bit of menace to it, even if I say so myself having lost the toss and been asked to bat, which for once worked rather nicely in our favour.

Leigh, however, did not read the script. Tim Piper and Darren Flint set about our total with 109 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the scorers with a dismissal, and for a good while it looked like our bowlers might be spending the evening consoling one another over warm squash. But Tim Thirkell dragged us back into it with a superb 4-17, ably backed by Richard Knowler (2-45) and Thomas Beeney (2-46), and Leigh's last pair of wickets to fifty came from Tim Piper (51) and Flint (48) with Tom Scott's unbeaten 21 not quite enough to see them home. We did rather too much charity work of our own — 22 wides and no-balls is not a habit to encourage — but 205/9 left them 31 runs short at the close.

A fine team performance, generously earned, and two points safely banked. Craig Sands now leads our 2016 run charts and Thomas Beeney tops the wicket pile — long may both continue, preferably with rather fewer of our extras helping the opposition along the way.

Sun 22 May 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformLWWWL

We travelled to Sissinghurst on a bright Sunday, lost the toss, and were put out into the field — never the tonic for a Sunday morning. Andrew Knowler and Peter Smith made light of us, though, adding an unanswered 152 for the fifth wicket on their way to 86 not out and 79 not out respectively, and their declaration-that-never-came left us chasing 217/7. Credit where due: Tim Wright bowled with real discipline, three maidens among his figures of 3-43, and found stout support from Jon Harris and Darrell Houghton-Judge, but by then the damage in the middle overs was done.

Our reply began wretchedly — two wickets down for two runs is the sort of start that has you reaching for the biscuit tin rather than the scorebook — and though James Piper battled manfully for his unbeaten 28, wickets tumbled around him at the other end. The Duck Club secretary was kept busy, with Luke Welsman, Trevor Back and Jon Harris all making the long walk back without troubling the scorers, and we folded for 97 in the 29th over.

A defeat by 120 runs, then, and no dressing it up as anything else. Small mercies: Piper's knock and Wright's spell were enough to see them both climb the season charts, third and first respectively, so the individual efforts weren't entirely in vain even if the team performance was. We licked our wounds over a pint, agreed the tea was rather good, and resolved — as captains always must — that we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 21 May 2016 🧢 2nd XIv Kemsing CC · HomeformLLWDL

It was Kemsing CC who came calling on a pleasant, drizzly Saturday, and it was Kemsing CC who left with the points, though not without us making a proper fist of it.

Losing the toss and being asked to field is never how you'd script it, and Grahame Wood made sure we felt every bit of that early disappointment, compiling a magnificent 112 not out that simply had no answer. Martin Green weighed in handsomely with 60, the pair putting on 130 for the second wicket after a flying start of 64 before we so much as landed a blow. Tim Wright did what he could up front for 1-33, and Joe Martin, with two maidens to his name, at least made the Kemsing openers work for every run. All told, 217/3 from their forty overs was a mountain dressed up as a molehill.

With the bat, Luke Welsman gave us genuine hope — a superb 106 not out, the innings of the season, well supported by Chris Newman's 27. But an early wicket with just 1 on the board set the tone, and beyond an 89-run stand for the fifth wicket, the middle order rather went missing, with Richard Piper, Tobey Castle and Anton Bourdillon all making ducks. Your correspondent must own up to one himself — the less said, the better. Ten byes suggested a trying afternoon behind the stumps for Oliver Holdstock, and 186/9 left us 31 runs shy at the close.

Not our day, then, but Welsman's ton and Wright's nagging line are worth taking to the nets — heads up, and back to work.

Sat 21 May 2016 🧢 1st XIv Cudham Wyse CC · AwayformLDWWW

Saturday last saw us make the trek out to Cudham Wyse, under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to rain properly or just sulk. The coin let us down again — they had first say and sent us in to bat, which on a drizzly afternoon felt like it might have been the shrewder call. It wasn't.

We slipped to 1-1 early on, the sort of start that has captains reaching for the flask, but what followed was the innings of the season. Daniel Thirkell played an utterly magnificent knock of 127, and found the perfect foil in Craig Sands, whose well-made 78 helped the pair add a priceless 152 for the second wicket. Laurie Probert chipped in with 21 not out, and even our extras column got in on the act with a handy 30. Not everything gleamed — poor James Piper won't want reminding of his duck — but 264/5 from 40 overs was a total to be proud of.

Defending it, the bowlers made light work of things. The opposition's top order held some promise through Jd Hussain (25), Furqaan Sohail (23) and Tameem Shaik (20), but once the floodgates opened — 118-6 crumbling to 136-9 in a hurry — there was no way back. Richard Knowler was superb, 4-27, backed up handsomely by Joshua Knowler's 3-39, Thomas Beeney's 1-14, and two typically miserly maidens from Matthew Carter. All out for 139.

A win by 125 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying personal 127 to boot. Onwards indeed.

Sun 15 May 2016 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformLWLWL

It was a proper old-fashioned village bat-and-bowl of a Sunday, this one, and I confess I rather enjoyed calling it right. We rocked up at Bidborough, won the toss, and I had few doubts about batting first on a day made for run-scoring.

And what runs they were. The openers set the tone with 66 for the first wicket, then a rock-solid 95 for the second kept the innings ticking over nicely, before Daniel Thirkell decided the rest of us were merely there to admire him — 123, a superb hundred, the sort of innings you talk about in the bar for weeks. James Piper chipped in a handy 42 and Jordan Austin 39, and we declared our efforts, if not literally, at a very healthy 260/6 from the full 40.

Defending that sort of total should be straightforward, and for the most part it was — though Bidborough weren't going down without a fight. Howard Nankivell (38 not out), Stuart Pinchin (37) and Dale Hillhouse (36) all had their say, and a stubborn 55-run stand for the fifth wicket threatened to make things interesting. Then, just to test my nerves further, their last pair put on an infuriating 60 we really could have done without. Thankfully Sam Boyns (2-33) and the Knowler brothers, Joshua (2-41) and Richard (1-16), kept chipping away to see us home.

A fine win by 54 runs, then, and a red-letter day besides — James Piper's 8,000th run for the club, and Stuart Cheesman easing past Terry Donovan on the all-time wicket list. Can't grumble at that. Onwards.

Sun 15 May 2016 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv EC Eastchurch CC · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 15 May 2016, and Eastchurch CC arrived at our place on a damp but pleasant afternoon to find me winning the toss and, for once, making the obviously correct decision to bat first. Stuart Campbell led the charge with a fine 62, well supported by Laurie Probert's 44, and we posted a respectable 167 all out from our 40 overs. Not everyone's name will be etched in gold, mind — John Karassellos and Anton Bourdillon both departed for ducks, the sort of ignominy that only a village green truly appreciates.

Defending 167 was always going to ask questions of us, and Eastchurch had answers. Stewart Cruickshank played the innings of the day with a classy 53, Callum Hughes chipped in with 41 and Oliver Dewey stayed unbeaten on 39 as they reached 168/4 in just 28.3 overs — proof, if any were needed, that we bowled them to victory rather more efficiently than we'd have liked. Anton Bourdillon atoned handsomely for his golden duck with the ball, taking 2-23, with Tim Thirkell (1-30) and Joel Attwood (1-41) offering honest support. Nine byes, though, tell their own sorry tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

There was a proper reason to raise a glass regardless: Ryan Boyns brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth far more than any scoreline. As for the cricket, we were beaten by five wickets, fair and square. Not our day, lads — back to the nets, heads up, and onward.

Sun 15 May 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Selling CC · AwayformWWWWW

Beaten by four wickets at Selling, but not without a fight from the lads.

We took first use of the ball on a pleasant, showery afternoon, and found ourselves toiling as Ollie Lane compiled a thoroughly superb hundred – 106 of the finest – with Josh Staunton providing sturdy support with 69, and Nick Myers chipping in with 26. Their second-wicket pair put on 101 and rather took the game away from us before we'd properly got going. Ian Hollingworth was the pick of our attack with 3-47, while Darrell Houghton-Judge and Tim Wright chipped away for one apiece. Selling closed on a hefty 274/6 from their 40 overs, leaving us with a proper mountain to climb.

Benjamin Austin led the reply with real application, striking a fine 74, well supported by Martin Harris (39) and Richard Piper (31); I contributed 31 myself, and the extras column pitched in a generous 29. Poor Chris Newman, however, will want the scorebook to forget his golden duck. All told we mustered 217 before folding in the 37th over.

As it stands, Austin now sits third in our 2016 Sunday run charts, and Harris tops the wicket-takers – small consolations on a day that ultimately went Selling's way by four wickets. A stern lesson in the value of partnerships, and one we'll take firmly on the chin. Onwards to next week, where I've no doubt we'll be considerably better for it.

Sat 14 May 2016 🧢 1st XIv UC Underriver CC · HomeformWLDWW

Saturday 14 May 2016 saw us welcome Underriver CC under grey skies, the sort of cool, cloudy afternoon that makes a man reach for one extra jumper and a flask of tea before deciding whether to bowl first. We won the toss and, mercifully, made it count.

Batting first, we posted a healthy 237/9 from our forty overs. Daniel Thirkell was the architect of it all with a really well-made 53, ably assisted by Craig Sands (36) and Thomas Beeney, unbeaten on 32, the pair sharing a stand of 59 for the fifth wicket that gave the innings its spine. Adam Jackson, less fortunately, departed for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, Adam, and the extras column's generous 43 more than made up for it.

With the ball, Underriver replied with 188/7, David Close batting beautifully for his unbeaten 68 and Paul Garner chipping in with 39, but our bowlers kept squeezing. Daniel Thirkell, in inspired form all round, took 3-18; Matthew Carter bowled a tidy 2-23 with two maidens to show for his discipline; Alex Keeler weighed in with 1-32. I'll confess a quiet satisfaction at contributing 53 with the bat and 3 wickets myself — a captain's knock and then some.

We scraped home by a single wicket. One wicket! The heart can scarcely take it, but two points is two points, and thoroughly, nervously earned.

Sun 08 May 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Beckenham CC · HomeformLWWWW

Sunday 8th May saw Beckenham CC roll into Linton Park on a warm, overcast afternoon that felt tailor-made for stubborn cricket. I won the toss and, with more optimism than science, stuck us in to bat.

What followed was one of those innings you dine out on for years. Will Thirkell simply refused to get out, compiling a magnificent 115 not out, with James Piper's 43 and Sam Boyns' unbeaten 33 giving the innings real backbone. Jordan Austin's contribution, sadly, was a golden duck — though even the extras (a generous 25) outscored him, which he'll not thank me for mentioning. We closed on a handsome 239/4 from our 40 overs.

Defending it was rather more of an adventure. Jason Bilimoria made a fine 90 and, with Ross Piller (46) and Kamran Khan (37) alongside him, Beckenham threatened to make a mockery of our total. But Jordan Austin, evidently keen to make amends with the ball, tore in for 3-33, with Will Thirkell (2-30) and Sam Boyns (2-35) chipping away too — Wajid Shah and Mark Twaddell both departed without troubling the scorers. Beckenham fell agonisingly short on 233/9.

Six runs. That's all that separated us in the end — enough for two thoroughly earned points, and enough for me to declare, entirely without bias, that leading from the front with 115 felt rather good.

Sat 07 May 2016 🧢 2nd XIv CC Chevening Amblers CC · HomeformWLLWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 07th May, and a warm, overcast afternoon greeted Chevening Amblers CC as our visitors. We lost the toss, were put into the field first, and had to make do with what the day gave us.

With the bat we posted a respectable 146/7 from our 40 overs, the innings carried by a well-made fifty from Tim Wright, with Darrell Houghton-Judge (35) and Trevor Back (28) lending sturdy support. Less happily, Russell Dack's afternoon began and ended in the same breath, undone for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and no doubt will again.

In the field we gave it a real go. Darrell Houghton-Judge led the attack superbly with 2-22, backed up by Stuart Campbell and Tim Thirkell, both 1-16, the latter squeezing out two miserly maidens for good measure. But Mark Burkitt had other ideas, striking a fine fifty of his own (55), well supported by Mark Challis (36) and David Franklin (24), and the Amblers eased home on 150/5 with half a dozen balls unused. Poor John Karassellos had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes leaking away that we could ill afford.

So, a five-wicket defeat, and not our day. Tim Wright keeps his nose in front atop the season's run charts, Tim Thirkell likewise among the wickets — small consolations. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Sat 07 May 2016 🧢 1st XIv HC Hadlow CC · AwayformLWLDW

Saturday the 7th of May saw us venture to Hadlow CC beneath warm, cloudy skies, and when the coin span my way I had no hesitation in asking us to bat first — a decision that, for once, looked rather clever by close of play. James Piper made batting look embarrassingly simple, cracking a magnificent 110, while Adam Jackson chipped in a handsome fifty and Kevin Presneill finished unbeaten on 28. Even our extras got in on the act with a generous 27. We declared our efforts, such as they were, at 265/4 from the full forty overs — a total with a bit of menace to it.

Defending it proved a different sort of afternoon altogether. Tom Batchelor decided he fancied a century of his own and duly compiled a magnificent 128 not out, ably supported by Tanuj Banerjee (28) and Richard Mernagh (25), and for a while it looked like Hadlow might make a real match of it. Three of their number — Simon Morley, Will Kennett and William Machtus — departed without troubling the scorers, and it was Matthew Carter who did the real damage with 4-44, backed up nicely by Stuart Cheesman (3-57) and Richard Knowler (2-30). Poor Craig Sands endured a wretched time behind the stumps, eight byes slipping past him, while I contributed a modest 17 with the bat. Hadlow were bowled out for 220 from 33 overs, and we held on for a 45-run victory. Piper and Carter both climbed the club's all-time lists in the process — a fine day's work all round, and one for the scrapbook.

Mon 02 May 2016 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformWLWLD

Off it goes on a cool, damp, blustery second of May, and if I'm honest I'll take credit for winning the toss and electing to bat — sometimes even a stopped clock is right twice a day. The lads got stuck in against Selsdon CC, Benjamin Austin leading the charge with a fine 40, Richard Piper chipping in with 22 and Nat Presneill unbeaten on 22 to help us to 174/9 off our 39. Poor Darrell Houghton-Judge won't want reminding of his duck, though as it turned out he'd have his say later with the ball in hand.

And what a say it was. Darrell tore through Selsdon with 4-8, Thomas Beeney backed him up superbly with 4-15 (four maidens besides — not a run given away lightly), and Thisal Perera picked up 1-22 for good measure. Arvind Gerald's 31 and Jack Coles' 25 were the only real resistance, while Edward Shivmangel and Charlie Dinning both departed without troubling the scorers. All out for 125 in 26.4 overs — I added a watchful 20 myself, more nurdle than dazzle.

A nod, too, to James Piper, whose 15 runs today eased him past Basil Sears into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and who continues to lead our 2016 charts with 81 runs, with Thomas Beeney topping the wickets column on 6.

A 49-run win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — even the weather couldn't dampen this one.

Sat 30 Apr 2016 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWLLW

Saturday 30 April 2016 saw us make the trip to Staplehurst, and I lost the toss, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. Asked to bat, we set about the task with rather more purpose than usual: 187 for 3 off our forty overs, built on a fine unbeaten 64 from Chris Newman, well supported by Tobey Castle's 47 and Richard Piper's 34. I even chipped in with 34 myself, batting with the quiet confidence of a man who knows his place in the order and rarely troubles the scorers for long.

In the field, Staplehurst threatened briefly to make a game of it, but Tim Thirkell had other ideas, snaring 2 for 12 in a spell that did more than anyone to keep their innings honest. They closed on 49 for 2 from 17.1 overs, and there the match stalled — neither side quite able to force the issue before time, or perhaps common sense, intervened.

So it finished all square, honours shared, both teams driving home with something and nothing to show for their afternoon's work. Early days yet in the 2016 season, but Newman already tops our run charts and Thirkell leads the wicket-takers — small signs, perhaps, of good things to come. A draw, then: not the stuff of legend, but a perfectly respectable afternoon's cricket, and nobody went home unhappy. Or at least, nobody said so out loud.

Sat 30 Apr 2016 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformLWLWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 30 April 2016, and we welcomed Bidborough CC to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide whether to properly rain or merely sulk. Winning the toss on a cool, drizzly afternoon, I took one look at the covers and decided we'd bat, a call that for once didn't come back to haunt me.

James Piper made the decision look rather clever, compiling a fine 66, with Joshua Knowler chipping in a useful 25 to help us to 181/8 from our 40 overs. Darrell Houghton-Judge, meanwhile, contributed what the scorebook politely records as a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, Darrell, and I dare say you'll laugh about it before the season's out.

With the ball, we set about Bidborough with some purpose. Thomas Beeney was the pick of the attack with 2-4, Joshua Knowler chipped in again with 2-39, and Sam Boyns kept things admirably tight with two maidens. They reached 59/4 from 14.1 overs before the weather, or good sense, brought proceedings to a close.

I'll allow myself a quiet word of pride at leading from the front with the bat, and a warmer one still for James Piper, whose 66 runs nudge him past Stewart Morrison into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a fine effort in miserable conditions. In the end, honours were shared: a draw, and on a day like this, a fair result for two sides neither able nor especially keen to force the issue.

Sun 24 Apr 2016 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Brasted & Sundridge CC · HomeformLLWWW

Cool skies, showery intervals, and a toss that finally fell my way — I had few qualms about asking Brasted & Sundridge to bat first on a morning like that. As it turned out, the decision looked rather clever: they were bowled out for 122 in 38.3 overs, James Piper top-scoring with 30 in their ranks before turning his arm to rather better use for us later, with L Wilmot-Wallis (23) and Alan Manderson (20) the only others to trouble the scorebook. Dave Bentley and M Howarth departed for ducks, and the day belonged to Martin Harris, whose 5-31 was a five-for as deserved as it was ruthless. Tim Wright weighed in with 3-25, and Chris Newman strangled the middle overs with two miserly maidens.

Chasing 123, we were rarely troubled, racing home in 24.4 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 61, while I contributed 30 with the ball and 40 with the bat for good measure — enough, apparently, to nudge me past John Ames into 18th on the club's all-time run list, which is either a fine achievement or simply evidence I've been playing for this club since the Ark. Luke Welsman's duck was the solitary blemish on an otherwise handsome scorecard.

Seven wickets to the good, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Chalk this one up as a very good day for Linton Park.

Sat 23 Apr 2016 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLWLW

It was a raw one, that Saturday against Headcorn — the sort of cool, damp afternoon that makes a captain's toss decision write itself. I called correctly, and with barely a thought I stuck us in, fancying there'd be a bit in it for the seamers early on.

For a while it looked shrewd enough. Mike Donnelly departed for a golden duck, and Darrell Houghton-Judge bowled beautifully for 2-19, with Thisal Perera (2-33), Richard Knowler (1-51) and the ever-miserly Ian Hollingworth chipping away. But James Barker had other ideas, motoring to 64, well backed by Peter Westrop's 40 and Edward Scrivens' 23, with a second-wicket stand of 68 doing most of the damage. Headcorn closed on a healthy 178/5 from their forty, rather more than we'd have liked chasing.

With the bat we never quite got the innings we needed. Joshua Knowler led the way with a tidy 30, Thomas Beeney chipped in with 29 and Richard Piper 22, and I did my bit with 30 of my own, but wickets fell at the other end too regularly for comfort — poor Ian Hollingworth completing a rather chastening pair with a first-baller to go with his miserly bowling figures. We limped to 151/9 and fell 27 runs short.

A defeat, then, but not a disgraceful one — plenty to build on, and Joshua Knowler and Thisal Perera both sit atop the season's charts as reward for their efforts. We'll be better for it next week.