🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 26 Sep 2020 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWWLD

A cool, damp Saturday, the wind up and the covers barely dry — not the afternoon for fireworks, though The Mote CC found plenty regardless. Put into the field, we watched Lewis Fawcett and Matthew White both bring up unbeaten fifties while Jason White chipped in with 49, and by the time they declared on 216/6 my bowling figures made for grim arithmetic reading. Credit where due: Alex Keeler was the pick with 2-17, Tobey Castle chimed in with 2-26, and I managed 2-58 myself, including the small mercy of sending Oliver Hills back for nought.

Chasing 216 was always going to want application, and application was in short supply. Luke Welsman battled to 30 and Jordan Austin supported with 26, but around them the innings simply folded, and we were bowled out for 112 in the 27th over. It was, in truth, a day for the Duck Club treasurer to rub his hands together — Richard Piper and Anthony Karassellos both walked back for ducks, and I completed the family hat-trick with a golden blob of my own, out first ball. A captain is meant to lead by example. On this occasion I led by example of exactly how not to do it.

Tobey Castle remains the one shining light of our season, sitting second in the run charts and top of the wicket pile with 16. For the rest of us, this was a defeat to learn from, and quickly.

Sun 20 Sep 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWLWL

Right by the fire, another season's page turned. Sunday, 20 September, Meopham CC the visitors, a warm and overcast afternoon that promised little but delivered plenty. I called correctly at the toss and, in a fit of uncharacteristic decisiveness, elected to bat.

The lads rallied to 161/7 from our 35 overs — nothing to have Meopham quaking in their whites, but a total with enough substance to work with. Henry Bourdillon led the way with a tidy 37, Fred Taylor chipped in handsomely with 35, and Benjamin Austin added a further 29. Not fireworks, but honest runs, gathered with the sort of quiet application that wins matches nobody remembers losing.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Meopham's Alex Bryant threatened to spoil the afternoon with a fine half-century (60), well supported by David Pollard's 36 and Andrew Bryant's 30 — for a while it looked ominously like their day. But Ben Pearce and James Innes departed without troubling the scorers, and Fred Taylor, following his runs with the ball, took 2-36 to lead the attack, with James West (1-11) and Anton Bourdillon (1-19) chipping away at the other end. Meopham fell agonisingly short on 160/8.

Won by a single run — the kind of margin that ages a captain by several years but tastes all the sweeter for it. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a reminder that in this game, one run is as good as a hundred.

Sun 20 Sep 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformLLDWW

Another Sunday, another coin toss lost — I'm beginning to suspect it's rigged against me personally — and so off we trudged to Tenterden on a warm, overcast afternoon with the ball in hand rather than the bat. Not the worst hardship, as it turned out. Tenterden ground their way to 162 all out from 59.5 overs, with Mark Kokkinos looking rather too comfortable for our liking on his way to a well-made 51. Gary Woollett, mercifully for us, departed without troubling the scorers. Toby Hughes was the pick of our attack with 2-9, a spell of real discipline, well supported by Will Thew (2-27) and Anthony Karassellos (2-44), while Alex Keeler simply refused to give anything away, sending down six maidens for good measure.

Chasing 163, we made light work of it, cantering home to 164/2 from just 22.3 overs. Toby Hughes, evidently not content with his bowling heroics, carried his bat for a superb 78 not out, and found an able ally in Richard Piper (47) as the pair put on 78 for the second wicket to see us home in some style.

A word too for Anthony Karassellos, who brought up his 50th career wicket — a landmark worth raising a glass to — while Tobey Castle continues to lead our 2020 Sunday 1st XI run charts with 273 to his name. All told, an 8-wicket win, comfortably achieved, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards indeed.

Sat 19 Sep 2020 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWWLL

Skipper's Log — Sheldwich CC away, Saturday 19 September.

Warm and overcast at Sheldwich, the kind of afternoon that promises rain and never quite delivers it, and we were put into the field first. It looked, for a while, like a tidy day's work: Sheldwich were bowled out for 118 in 36.5 overs, Jon Taylor's 21 the only real resistance, while ducks for Alasdair Wilson Smith and Tim Thirkell suggested the home batting had rather left its boots in the changing room. Thirkell, not content with merely dismissing people cheaply, then took the ball and ran through them anyway — 4 for 10 is the sort of figure you scribble in the book and stare at for a moment. Ian Hollingworth chipped in with 2 for 23, and Anthony Karassellos bowled two tight maidens on his way to 1 for 6, giving away runs as if they were his own money.

Chasing 119 should have been a formality, and cricket duly reminded us it never is. We stumbled to 122 for 9 off 37.4 overs, John Karassellos having a torrid time behind the stumps (18 byes — sorry, John), and James West falling for a duck of his own. Will Thew's 20 held things together, and I managed 35 to top-score, mostly by refusing to get out rather than by any great artistry.

A win by one wicket, then — the narrowest of margins, entirely typical of us, and all the sweeter for the fright along the way.

Sat 19 Sep 2020 🧢 1st XIv Linden Park CC · HomeformLWWWL

I called it right at the toss on a warm, cloudy Saturday and, with Linden Park CC the visitors, never seriously considered doing anything but batting first. It proved the correct call: 250/6 from our 37 overs was a proper score, built on the back of Jordan Austin's fine 69 and a classy fifty from Craig Sands, with Benjamin Austin unbeaten on 45 to give the innings some late polish. Somewhere in among all that willow-waving, Jordan also brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark that deserved rather better weather for the applause, but the lads gave it anyway.

Defending 250 always looks simpler on paper than it feels in the field, and so it proved. Tom Corner made us work hard for everything with a fluent 62, well supported by Richard Prescott's 36 and an unbeaten 29 from Alistair McCulloch that kept the visitors in the hunt deep into the afternoon. Alex Keeler was the pick of our attack with 2-27, Tobey Castle chipped in with 2-42 to continue what's been a fine season with ball in hand, and I managed 1-5 of my own to do my bit from the other end.

In the end Linden Park closed on 198/8 from their 45, and honours were shared — a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Not the win the scoreboard perhaps threatened at one stage, but a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket, and Jordan's 200th cap is the story that'll be told in the bar long after the numbers are forgotten.

Thu 17 Sep 2020 🧢 Midweek XIv KR King's School Rochester · HomeformWWWWW

A pleasant, grey Thursday brought King's School Rochester to us on the 17th, and it was we who had first use of the ball, which felt only right on a day with a touch of murk about it. The openers needed no encouragement from the conditions to get themselves out, mind: the first wicket went down for a solitary run, and from there the innings rather came apart at the seams, 2-1 collapsing to 16-4 before the visitors had time to catch breath. George Taylor played with real substance for his 47, dragging them up to a respectable-looking 72 all out from 23.2 overs, but everyone around him went cheaply, with G French, Max Butler and James Watkins all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm with the new ball myself, finishing with 3-4 including three maidens, and had excellent support from Joshua Knowler (3-17) and Alex Keeler (2-6), who chipped away relentlessly.

Chasing 73 was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved. Luke Welsman played the anchor beautifully for 29, with Jordan Austin lending fine support on 25, and we cantered home to 73-2 in just 12.2 overs.

Up the season table, Jordan Austin now sits third in the Midweek XI run charts with 60, while Alex Keeler leads the wicket-takers with six — both thoroughly deserved.

Two points, and thoroughly earned: an eight-wicket win, bowled and batted with real discipline from start to finish, and a thoroughly pleasant way to spend a grey afternoon.

Sun 13 Sep 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Brasted Invicta CC · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday 13 September saw us welcome Brasted Invicta CC under a fine, warm sun—the sort of afternoon that makes you glad to be skipper, right up until the opposition start piling on runs. And pile on they did: put in first with the ball, we watched Stuart Young help himself to a chanceless 125, with Michael Lea's well-crafted 78 and A Pearce's unbeaten 27 stretching them to a hefty 281 for 4 off their forty. Tim Thirkell was our pick of the attack with 2-48, toiling away nobly, while I chipped in with 1-63—more containment than menace, if I'm honest.

Chasing 282 was always going to be a stern examination, and for a while we made a fair fist of it. Shehryar Gul played handsomely for his 68, Richard Piper stroked a fine fifty of his own with 59, and Anthony Karassellos's 40 kept the required rate honest. I added a workmanlike 17 down the order. But the Duck Club scribes were busy: James West, George Rogers and Davy Matthews all took the long walk back without troubling the scorers, and even a generous 34 extras couldn't paper over those cracks. All out for 263 in 38.2 overs—brave, but not quite enough.

Beaten this time, then, but not disgraced. Richard Piper continues to top our 2020 Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 191, and Tim Thirkell sits second among the wicket-takers with 7. We go again.

Sun 13 Sep 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv LC Luddesdowne CC · HomeformWLLDW

What a day to be Linton Park's captain. Sunshine on our backs, Luddesdowne CC in town, and a batting effort that gave us something proper to defend. Abishek Pushpavinothan led the charge with a fine 43, Jordan Austin chipped in handsomely with 41 and Will Thew's 22 rounded out a total of 205/8 from our forty overs — the sort of score that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

Defending it was another matter, as it always is. Sam Piddock gave us some anxious moments with 35, and Ashley Baldwin's unbeaten 27 alongside Richard Harris's 21 threatened to drag Luddesdowne back into it. But our attack had other ideas, and three of their batsmen — Andrew Peeke, Jordan Summerfield and Tony Hughes — trooped off for ducks, which is always a pleasant sight from the boundary rope. Abishek Pushpavinothan, clearly not content with his runs, took the ball and ran through them with 3 for 9, while Inus Joubert (3-21) and Anton Bourdillon (2-42) mopped up the rest. Alex Keeler bowled with the tightness of a man guarding the tea urn, three maidens and barely a run leaked. I managed to get among the wickets myself, and I'll admit there's no finer feeling than seeing your name in the book on a winning afternoon. Luddesdowne folded for 145 in 33.1 overs.

A comfortable, sun-soaked win, and one to file away as a season highlight — 60 runs to the good and Luddesdowne never quite in it after the first hour.

Sat 12 Sep 2020 🧢 2nd XIv Cudham Wyse CC · HomeformWWWWL

As we hosted Cudham Wyse CC on a pleasant, overcast Saturday, I called correctly at the toss and, without so much as a flicker of hesitation, stuck us in the field — a decision I still maintain was the right one, whatever the scorebook eventually said. Cudham Wyse made their way to 173/7 from the full forty overs, Adnan Walayat unbeaten on 46 the chief architect, with Junaid Mohammad (29) and Waseem Abbas (21) lending a hand. It wasn't all one-way traffic, mind: Tim Thirkell was superb, 3-24 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, and en route notched up his 500th career wicket — a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than a line in a match report, but there we are. Fred Taylor (2-20) and Alex Wade (1-23) chipped in nicely alongside him.

Chasing 174, we never quite got going, folding for 110 in 28.4 overs. I managed 29 — top score, for what little that's worth on a day like this — with Owen Palmer offering good support on 20. Fred Taylor's afternoon went from bowling to batting and back to disappointing, bagging a golden duck, while poor John Karassellos endured a torrid time behind the stumps, eight byes going begging past him.

Down by 63 runs, then — not our day, and the lads know it. Back to the nets, heads up, and rather more attention paid to keeping the ball out next time.

Wed 09 Sep 2020 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLWWWW

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 9th September 2020. The road took us to The Mote, and a warm, showery afternoon that couldn't quite decide whether to co-operate with us any more than the opposition eventually would.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once the decision looked rather clever rather than merely lucky. Benjamin Austin led the way with a well-made fifty of 59, with Tobey Castle right alongside him on 55, the pair putting on 115 for the fifth wicket while the rest of us admired the view. Aaron Hughes chipped in with a handy 32, and 230/6 from our forty overs felt like a total with a bit of bite to it.

Defending it, we were made to work. Thurasingham Maheshwaren played a fine, chanceless 69, well supported by Theeshan Satkunaseelan's 57 and Robin Babu's 46, and when they reached 187/4 there were one or two of us checking our watches nervously. But cricket has a habit of turning, and turn it did — three wickets tumbled to leave them 190/7, with poor Tom Burnap and Bobby Mathew both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Alex Keeler was the chief architect with a superb 4-10, backed up nicely by Tobey Castle's 2-33 and my own modest 2-55. They were bowled out for 199 in 38.1 overs.

A 31-run win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — the sort of result that makes the showers entirely forgivable.

Sun 06 Sep 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Beckenham CC · HomeformWWLLD

Sunday the 6th of September, and Beckenham CC rolled up on a damp but agreeable afternoon for what would turn out to be rather a fine day's cricket. I lost the toss — my record in that department remains a source of quiet shame — and we were put in the field, or rather, out of it, as they chose to bowl first.

With bat in hand the lads set about their work in style. Tobey Castle played the innings of the summer, a majestic 124 that did the heavy lifting almost single-handed, while Luke Welsman (34) and Aaron Hughes (27) chipped in nicely, the pair adding a vital 74 for the second wicket to give the innings its backbone. We finished on a handsome 241/6 from our 35 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew his fingernails over it.

Defending it, Beckenham gave it a proper go. Finlay Michael struck a classy unbeaten 54, well supported by Aarush Wangoo (32) and Ross Piller (30), and a 55-run sixth-wicket stand threatened to make things interesting. But Sam Boyns was superb, plucking out 2-13, with Luke Welsman and James West lending timely support to restrict them to 178/6.

We ran out winners by 63 runs. Castle now tops our Sunday run charts for the season, and West sits second among the wicket-takers — a fine team performance, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 06 Sep 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LC Loose CC · AwayformLLWWL

Skipper's Log, Sunday 6th September 2020 — an away day at Loose CC, and one that will live long in the memory (and the ledger).

Losing the toss and being asked to field is never how you'd script it, but the lads made light work of it in the field before turning their attention to the bat. We were rolled for 207 in 38.2 overs, but what a number that could have been — Shehryar Gul's 97 was the stuff of village legend, one boundary shy of the ton but priceless all the same, ably backed up by Jordan Austin's 28. Extras chipped in a rather magnificent 42, which frankly deserves its own place in the batting order. Less gloriously, Fred Taylor, John Karassellos and Anthony Karassellos all took the long, lonely walk for nought — the Duck Club doing brisk business this week.

In the field we defended manfully, restricting Loose to 167/9 from their 40 overs despite spirited resistance from Jordan Chambers (35), Matthew Fairway (33) and Cameron Chambers (31). David Day and Robert Wood both departed for ducks of their own — honours even on that front. But the story of the innings was Fred Taylor, unplayable and spinning through the order for a magnificent 5-37, well supported by Tim Thirkell and Ian Hollingworth, with John Karassellos tying batsmen down for two maidens. I contributed a watchful 16.

A special mention for Shehryar Gul, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark thoroughly deserved.

Verdict: a 40-run victory, two points banked, and thoroughly earned.

Sat 05 Sep 2020 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWLWWW

Bidborough away, overcast skies, and a scoreboard that told the truth about the afternoon before I'd even finished my tea. Winning the toss and bowling first felt like the sensible captain's call, and for a while it looked shrewd enough — until Charlie Harding decided 81 was a number he rather liked the look of, ably assisted by Stuart Pinchin's 34, and the pair dragged Bidborough up to a distinctly uncomfortable 191/7 from their 36 overs. Credit where due: our attack didn't simply wave the white flag. Tobey Castle was superb, 3-29 and relentless, with Mardey Castle chipping in 2-38 including three maidens that must have felt like penance to face, and Joshua Knowler picking up 1-42 for good measure. Not our worst day with the ball, all told.

Our reply, alas, was a different story entirely. Mark Christmas battled hard for his 31, the runs that mattered most on a card otherwise short on runs and long on regret, and I managed a modest 15 to add to the pile. But ducks for Toby Hughes and Alex Keeler summed up a chase that never found its rhythm, and 122 all out in 28.1 overs was well short of the target.

There were bright spots buried in the wreckage — Mardey Castle reaching 50 career wickets, and Joshua Knowler climbing to 25th on the club's all-time list. But the result was the result: a defeat, fair and square, and one to learn from rather than dwell on.

Sat 05 Sep 2020 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWWWW

I lost the toss — or possibly won it and made a hash of the decision, memory's hazy at that end of a long afternoon — but either way we found ourselves in the field first on a pleasant, grey Saturday as Bearsted CC came visiting. And for a good while it looked a sound plan: our attack tore through their order, sending Leo Charlton, Sam Luxton and Harry Slevin back without troubling the scorers, while Henry Bourdillon bowled beautifully for 3-19, well backed by Anthony Karassellos (3-21) and Tim Thirkell (2-17), with Alex Wade tying batsmen down for two tidy maidens. Only Tim Lush, with a stubborn 36, plus useful contributions from Stephen Pearce (27) and Tim Croom (24), dragged the visitors to 132 all out in 34.3 overs — competitive, but nothing that should have troubled us.

Troubled us it duly did. Aaron Hughes battled well for 30 and I chipped in with 15, but wickets tumbled around us — Martin Rivers and Alex Wade both departed for ducks — and we were bowled out for 120 in 35.5 overs, twelve runs short of a target that, on paper, we really ought to have chased down in our sleep.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Tim Thirkell's two wickets saw him leapfrog Allan Cooper into 16th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, which is the sort of thing that keeps a captain smiling on the drive home. But smiles aside, this was a defeat we set up ourselves with the ball and then squandered with the bat. A defeat to learn from, and no mistake.

Sun 30 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Borstal CC · AwayformWLLWW

Beaten by 23 runs at Borstal, but I'll take losing on a drizzly Sunday over losing to the tea urn, which this year has proven the more formidable opponent. Losing the toss and being asked to chase felt like the first mistake of the day that wasn't ours, and Borstal made full use of it, William Hick striding to 75 with Ian Coleman's 24 in support as they racked up 191/9. Credit where due to our attack though — Nolan Wilde led the charge with 2-21, Luke Welsman matched him wicket for wicket, and I chipped in with 2-26, while poor Tom Cleary was sent packing without troubling the scorers, a duck delivered with brutal efficiency.

Chasing 192, Richard Piper played the innings of the day, a fine 62, and I was glad to lend a hand with 30 not out alongside James West's 26 — though Trevor Back and Alex Wade will be keen to forget their golden ducks in a hurry. Shehryar Gul had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes leaking away like the afternoon's drizzle, and in the end 168/8 wasn't quite enough.

There was, at least, one moment to raise a modest cheer amid the rain: I brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, which felt rather nice even in defeat. Richard Piper continues to top our Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Alex Wade the wickets, so the season's engine room is ticking along nicely even if Sunday's scoreboard wasn't. Beaten by 23 runs — no disgrace, plenty to work on, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 30 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Battle CC · HomeformDWWLL

Sunday saw Battle CC visit us on a pleasant, if showery, afternoon, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the umpires might mutter into their tea. The lads batted with real application, posting 228 for 5 off our 41.3 overs. Thomas Beeney was in fine touch with an unbeaten 48, well supported by Alex Keeler's 41 and a composed 30 not out from William Roxburgh, the pair sharing a crucial second-wicket stand of 59. Even the extras column pitched in a generous 34 — not quite a specialist batsman in its own right, but not far off.

Battle's reply was a proper rearguard. They lost their first wicket for just 4, and we thought we had them, but Guy Ballard played a fine innings of 89, and George Harris an excellent unbeaten 57, adding 116 together for the fifth wicket to drag them back into it, with Leigh Tullett chipping in 23. I was pleased with my own contribution among the wickets, and Alex Keeler bowled beautifully for 2 for 8, with Jordan Austin (2-19, two maidens) and Anton Bourdillon (2-25) keeping things tight. We did at least send both Dudgeons back without troubling the scorers — small mercies.

Battle closed on 220 for 9, eight runs shy, and honours were shared. A draw, then — no shame in that, but I fancy we were the happier side walking off.

Sat 29 Aug 2020 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformDWWWW

Saturday last, under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to rain on us properly or just sulk, we welcomed Bidborough CC to Linton Park. I won the toss and elected to bat, which for once looked like genuine cricketing wisdom rather than a lucky guess.

William Roxburgh anchored the innings beautifully for an unbeaten 56, and I was glad to lend a hand with 53 of my own before departing — a personal contribution I'll allow myself to be quietly smug about. Martin Rivers chipped in with a brisk 33, and the openers gave us the platform, putting on 73 before the first wicket fell. It wasn't all sunshine, mind: Darrell Houghton-Judge and Alex Wade both trudged back for ducks, proof that even on a good day this game keeps you honest. We closed on 186/5 from our 36 overs — a total with enough substance to defend.

And defend it we did. Owen Blackhurst threatened to spoil the afternoon with a fighting 52, ably supported by Gary Thorne's 26, but Thomas Roxburgh was superb, taking 3-18 with two miserly maidens, while William Roxburgh, not content with his runs, chipped in 2-3 and Tim Thirkell 1-24. Bidborough were bowled out for 155 in 33.5 overs, Henry Dufty falling for nought.

Thomas Roxburgh now leads our 2020 2nd XI run charts with 201, and Tim Thirkell tops the wicket-takers with 10 — form worth watching. A 31-run victory, two points banked, and thoroughly earned. I'll take that every Saturday going.

Sun 23 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Faversham CC · AwayformLWLLW

Sunday 23 August 2020, and off we trundled to Faversham CC under skies that couldn't decide whether they were sunshine or shower — much like this reporter's decision-making. The coin, predictably, went against us; Faversham took first knock, and we settled in to bowl.

What followed was rather good fun. Tim Thirkell was in miserly, metronomic form, returning 3-3 with three maidens to boot — the sort of spell that makes the rest of us look faintly ridiculous by comparison. Anthony Karassellos (2-20) and Fred Taylor (2-25) chipped in nicely, and between us we sent John Aikin, Rob Dengate and Hugo Woolley back for ducks. Only Richard Woolley's 25 offered any real resistance, and Faversham were bowled out for 108 in 33.2 overs. We will draw a discreet veil over the 28 byes that crept through — a testing afternoon behind the stumps for John Karassellos, who I'm sure will laugh about it eventually.

With the ball's work done, Will Thew and Richard Piper simply strolled to the target, Thew unbeaten on a well-crafted fifty and Piper ably keeping him company with 40 not out. We reached 109 without loss in just 14 overs — barely time to finish the tea urn.

Ten wickets, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work. Faversham will wonder what hit them; we shall simply enjoy the drive home.

Sun 23 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLDWWL

Sunday 23 August, and a warm, showery afternoon greeted Sheldwich CC to Linton Park. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains a weak link in my captaincy — and we were put into the field.

Sheldwich made themselves thoroughly at home. We had them 7-1 early and I allowed myself a quiet smile, but a stand of 114 for the second wicket put paid to any complacency, and they eventually declared their innings closed on a healthy 231/6 from their 35 overs. Matt Hammond (76) and James Creed (51) both brought up fine half-centuries, with Jordan Austin's 32 rounding out the damage. Credit where due: Nolan Wilde bowled beautifully for 3-43, with Thomas Roxburgh (1-12) and Alex Keeler (1-32) chipping in, while poor Luke Welsman had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 11 byes.

Chasing 232, we simply didn't have the legs for it. Thomas Roxburgh top-scored gamely with 48, well supported by Luke Welsman's 42, and a 91-run fourth-wicket stand briefly promised something heroic before the innings folded for 158 in 34.1 overs. Nolan Wilde and James West will not want reminding of their ducks — the Duck Club ledger grows longer still. 🦆

A 73-run defeat, then, and no dressing it up. Sheldwich were the better side on the day; we'll regroup, dust ourselves down, and go again next week.

Sat 22 Aug 2020 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWDWWW

Saturday last took us to West Farleigh, under skies that couldn't decide between drizzle and a stiff breeze — proper English cricket weather, in other words. I lost the toss, as is now traditional, and we were put into the field, which at least gave us something to do while the rain made up its mind.

West Farleigh batted with more application than the conditions deserved, closing on 168 all out from 39.2 overs. Greg Snape's 54 was the innings' backbone, with Alex Clark (24) and Saju Muthalaly (22 not out) building a stubborn 54-run third-wicket stand around him. Happily, three of their number — Darren McGrath, Atif Bhatti and Harris Aziz — never troubled the scorers at all. Anthony Karassellos was outstanding with 4-24, well backed by Thomas Roxburgh's 3-28, James West's 2-28, and Alex Wade's three parsimonious maidens.

Chasing 169, we got there in 32.1 overs for the loss of six, Thomas Roxburgh again to the fore with an unbeaten 46, ably assisted by Aaron Hughes (35) and Henry Bourdillon (33). I should mention, purely in passing and only the once, that this outing also marked my 800th appearance in Linton colours — a number that says rather more about my longevity than my legs these days.

Up top, Roxburgh now leads our 2020 run charts with 172, while Tim Thirkell tops the wicket-takers on 9. We crossed the line by four wickets. A good day for the club, and, cap firmly on, a rather good day for me too.

Sat 22 Aug 2020 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWLWW

Meopham CC came to Linton Park on a warm, showery Saturday, and true to 2020 form the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they had first say and chose to field, leaving us to bat into the blustery afternoon. James Piper set about the innings with real purpose, top-scoring with 38, while Tobey Castle (27) and Toby Hughes (25) chipped in handsomely to see us to 167/8 from our 36 overs. Not a monstrous total by any means, but a defendable one, and against Meopham's attack we felt there was something in it.

So it proved. Kevin Smith threatened to take the game away from us with a fine 71, but an early wobble at 4-1 meant the chase never quite found its rhythm, and Meopham could only muster 149/9 from their 36. Tobey Castle was magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 4-18, while Mardey Castle bowled with real discipline — two maidens among his figures of 2-22 — and Martin Harris chipped in with 1-31 to keep the squeeze on.

Eighteen runs the margin in the end, and thoroughly earned, showers and all. James Piper continues to lead our 2020 run charts with 243 to his name, and Tobey Castle now tops the wicket pile with 8 — the sort of season form a captain dreams of and rarely gets. A proper team performance, and two points banked. If every Saturday could go this way, I'd take the bad weather and the lost tosses gladly.

Sat 15 Aug 2020 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWWDWW

The lads chased down a Bidborough treble-figures target with a 87-run margin to spare on a soggy Saturday.

Saturday 15 August 2020, and the road took us out to Bidborough — a fixture that turned into rather more fun than the weather forecast suggested it might. It rained on and off all afternoon, but nobody told the outfield, which stayed remarkably true, and nobody told the scoreboard either, which kept ticking along nicely for us. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation putting the opposition in the field first, and it proved the right call by the close.

With bat in hand we posted a handsome 195 for 7 off our forty overs, built on the sturdy foundation of Luke Welsman's excellent 51 — the sort of innings that makes a captain's job easy. I chipped in with 40 of my own, Martin Rivers added a further 31, and between us we gave the total real substance. Spare a sympathetic thought for poor Aaron Hughes, though, who departed for a golden duck; these things happen to the best of us, and I dare say he'll make amends next time out.

Then came the bowling, and here the lads were simply magnificent — Bidborough were skittled for nothing, a genuinely startling scoreline. Tim Thirkell led from the front with 3 for 17, backed superbly by Henry Bourdillon's 3 for 19 and Richard Knowler's 2 for 25. A collective performance with the ball if ever there was one.

We ran out winners by 87 runs. On a day when the heavens couldn't decide what they were doing, the side certainly could. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 15 Aug 2020 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWLW

Right of reply, 15th August, and the sun made a rare enough appearance to have the groundsman worried. I lost the toss, Bearsted chose to bat, and we settled in for what turned out to be a proper wet-afternoon slog on a warm, sticky pitch.

They got to 139 all out in 34 overs, Miles Henslow the chief architect of that with a fine 58, Ben Johnston chipping in 25 alongside him. But once Toby Hughes got the ball on a length he was simply unplayable, spinning through them for 6-18 and turning 56-3 into 58-6 before Bearsted knew what had hit them — Lewis Bedwell, Dave Shutt and Will Terry all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Mardey Castle picked up a couple, Joshua Knowler one more, and Martin Harris squeezed the game dry with two maidens for good measure.

Chasing 140, James Piper set the tone with a classy fifty — 52 in the end — and William Roxburgh kept him company as the openers put on a priceless 91 before the first wicket fell. I came in and did my bit with an unbeaten 30 to help see us home, while poor Tobey Castle and George Taylor went without scoring, though by then the job was as good as done. We got there at 140/5 off 35.5 overs, five wickets in hand.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine advert for Toby Hughes's claim to the top of our wicket charts. A good day at the office — even the weather couldn't spoil it.

Sun 09 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformDLWLL

Sunday the ninth of August found us hosting Bidborough on one of those peculiarly English afternoons — scorching enough to make you seek shade, yet grey enough that nobody quite trusted it. Won the toss and, with the sort of boldness that owes more to optimism than tactics, I sent us in to bat.

Whatever gods preside over club cricket smiled on us. Jordan Austin produced an innings of real substance, cantering to a superb 103 not out, while Paul Bourdillon chipped in a handsome 58 and Benjamin Austin finished unbeaten on 42. Between them they hauled us to 222 for 3 from our 35 overs — the sort of total that makes the tea interval taste that much sweeter.

Defending it should have been the easy part, except Bidborough had other ideas. Archie Wells and Dylan Hillhouse both passed fifty, with 75 and 51 respectively, and for a good while it looked like our total might not be quite the fortress we'd hoped. But Alex Wade was in irrepressible form, tying up an end with two maidens on his way to 3 for 27, and I managed to get among the wickets myself, finishing with 2 for 13. Nolan Wilde chipped in with one, Cameron Scholes and James Masters both departed without scoring, and Bidborough were all out for 184.

We got over the line by 38 runs — comfortable enough on paper, rather more hard-earned in the field. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 09 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWLDWW

Beaten again by the toss of a coin — no, wait, I won that one. Fielding wasn't the issue; the top order simply had other ideas about the shape of a Sunday.

Winning the toss and electing to bat felt like the obvious call, and for a good long while it looked positively inspired. Tobey Castle and William Roxburgh set about the Staplehurst attack with the kind of opening stand that makes a captain feel unreasonably clever — 176 for the first wicket, if you please, before either could be shifted. Tobey went on to a magnificent hundred, 104 of the finest, with William not far behind on 66. We closed on 216 for 3 from our forty overs, and I'll confess to allowing myself a quiet smile at tea.

It didn't survive the afternoon. Kieren Startup simply refused to read the script, compiling a superb century of his own — 106, chanceless as far as I could tell from mid-off — with Bill Betts (37) and Sam McConnel, unbeaten on 35, ushering him home. Abishek Pushpavinothan toiled honestly for 2 for 36 and Mardey Castle chipped in with 1 for 48, but 220 for 3 came with three overs to spare, and Staplehurst had us by seven wickets.

A word of cheer amid the gloom: William Roxburgh's 66 keeps him second in the Sunday first-team run charts with 160 for the season — some consolation for a batsman doing rather more than his share.

Outbatted, then outbowled by one truly magnificent innings. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 08 Aug 2020 🧢 2nd XIv KC Kilndown & Lamberhurst CC · HomeformLWWDW

Saturday 8th August, and Kilndown & Lamberhurst rolled into Linton Park under a grey, sweltering sky that promised sunburn without the sunshine. I lost the toss again — my record with that coin remains a village joke in itself — and the visitors chose to bat, which suited us rather nicely by the close.

Our bowlers made light work of it. Anthony Karassellos was in imperious form, 2-5 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, while James West (2-8) and Thomas Roxburgh (2-9) mopped up either side of him. Graham Bateup and Mark Skinner both departed without troubling the scorers — quacking their way back to the pavilion — and only Joe Sargent's unbeaten 29 gave the innings any shape at all. All out for 119 in 38.3 overs; a proper collective effort with the ball, even if we were rather too generous in the extras column, gifting away 32 in wides and no-balls. Someone ought to have a word with our line.

With the bat, the Roxburgh family business was open for trade. William struck a fine 35, Thomas followed up with 31 not out to go with his earlier wickets, and Will Thew's unbeaten 21 saw us safely home at 121/2 in 24.4 overs — eight wickets to spare, and rather less sweat than the weather suggested we'd need.

A thoroughly good day for the club, then: tidy bowling, some family bragging rights for the Roxburghs, and the extras aside, not much to grumble about over the teas.

Sat 08 Aug 2020 🧢 1st XIv FC Farningham CC · AwayformWLWWL

Saturday 08 August 2020 found us on the road at Farningham, under skies that couldn't decide whether to bake us or drench us — scorching and drizzly in equal, faintly ridiculous measure. I lost the toss, they had a bowl, sorry, a bat, and we trooped into the field wondering which way the weather, and the game, would break.

As it turned out, rather nicely for us. Richard Knowler was in inspired form, tearing through the top order with 3 for 13 and reducing them to 1 for 1 before they'd properly settled, while Toby Hughes (2-11) and Alex Keeler (2-27) kept the squeeze on throughout. Krishna Shanmuganathan top-scored with a defiant 40, well supported by Caiden Lomas's 25, but there were ducks aplenty at our end — Reese Thwaites, Chris Scott and Matthew Ward all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer — and Farningham were bowled out for 114 in 33.5 overs.

Chasing a modest target, James Piper played the innings of the day, a composed 61 not out that took the game away from them almost single-handedly. I chipped in with 38 not out myself, happy enough just to keep him company and see us home in 17.2 overs for the loss of a single wicket.

Nine wickets, two points, and precious little sweat once the bowlers had done their work. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon at Farningham — the sort of win that makes the drizzle worth it.

Sun 02 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Grenfell CC · AwayformLWLDW

Sunday 2 August, and off we trundled to Grenfell CC, the sky doing that very English thing of promising sunshine and delivering showers instead. I lost the toss — I'm starting to suspect the coin has a personal vendetta against me — and we were put into the field, which at least gave the lads something to do before the tea urn beckoned.

Grenfell settled in nicely, racking up 236/8 from their forty overs on the back of Matthew Stevens' 82 and Jamie Evans' 74, the pair putting on 89 for the second wicket while the rest of us admired the scenery. Jonathan Jones chipped in with 29. Credit where due, though — Alex Keeler was superb with 3-47, backed up nicely by the Castle brothers, Mardey (1-32) and Tobey, whose two maidens and 1-33 kept things respectably tight. Poor Bhavin Vaghela departed without so much as a nibble at the strike bowling — a golden duck to forget.

Chasing 237, we could easily have made hard work of it, but James Piper had other ideas, striking a magnificent unbeaten 122 to drag us home almost single-handedly. Richard Piper (30) and Thomas Beeney (23) built a handy 65-run stand alongside him, and we scrambled over the line at 240/5 with five wickets and, remarkably, half an over to spare.

A proper team effort in the field, one man of the match with the bat, and the showers held off just long enough. Verdict: a very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 02 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformWDLWL

Here's the report:

Sunday 2 August 2020 dawned warm and drizzly, and I'll confess to a flutter of nerves as we welcomed Cobham CC to Linton Park. Winning the toss, I elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once the cricketing gods didn't make a fool of me for saying so. William Roxburgh played the innings of the day, an elegant 80 that gave the whole order something to build around, with Abishek Pushpavinothan (30) and Luke Welsman (29) chipping in handsomely. We closed on a highly respectable 208/5 from our 40 overs — the sort of total that has you allowing yourself a small, private smile over the tea urn.

Alas, cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and Cobham's reply reminded us of it. Dominic Hart made merry to the tune of a magnificent 103, ably assisted by D Jackson's unbeaten 89, and between them they simply ran away with it — 209/1 in just 35.4 overs. Anthony Karassellos stood almost alone against the tide, bowling with real discipline for 1-26 and two maidens, not a run given away lightly. I did my modest bit with the bat later in the day, adding 19, but it was Cobham's afternoon through and through.

Beaten by nine wickets, then — no dressing that up. But Roxburgh now leads our 2020 Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Karassellos the wickets, so there's genuine substance beneath the scoreline. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 01 Aug 2020 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformWLWWD

Saturday 1 August 2020, and Linton Park welcomed Horsmonden CC under skies that couldn't decide whether to rain on us or not — much like my luck at the toss, which I duly lost, gifting them first knock.

Credit where it's due: their openers made hay, 89 without loss before we finally prised one out, and Mark Davies (44) and Alex Redwood (40) kept the scoreboard ticking nicely, with Alfie Glass unbeaten on 38 to round it off. 167/5 from their 40 overs felt like a total with some bite in it. Happily, Tim Thirkell had other ideas, snaring 3-33 and continuing his fine season with the ball, while Henry Bourdillon chipped in with 1-35 to keep things honest.

Chasing 168, we could easily have made a nervous afternoon of it, but Mardey Castle had clearly decided enough was enough, batting through to 88 not out and doing the bulk of the damage almost single-handedly — a crucial 60-run stand for the fourth wicket steadied any wobbles, and a generous 30 extras from Horsmonden didn't hurt either. We cantered home in 28.3 overs, six wickets in hand.

With Castle now top of our 2nd XI run charts and Thirkell leading the wickets, the season's shaping up rather nicely. A thoroughly good day for the club — showers, lost tosses and all.

Sat 01 Aug 2020 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformLWLWW

Sissinghurst won the toss on Saturday and stuck us in, which is never the way you want to start a Saturday afternoon. We laboured to 147 all out in 34.1 overs — William Roxburgh's 24 the standing timber in an innings that otherwise resembled a game of Jenga, with Thomas Roxburgh and Luke Welsman both back in the hutch without scoring. It says something about the state of our batting that the extras column, on 51, was comfortably our top performer — I'm told the umpires' arms got more exercise than our bats.

In the field we at least made a fist of it. Sissinghurst crept to 148 for 7 in 36.2 overs, Will Freeman's fifty (58) the difference, with useful support from Brough Cooper (22) and Gus Freeman (20). Richard Staines and James Found went for ducks of their own, which was some small consolation, and the bowling had real bite — Joshua Knowler bowled beautifully for 2 for 15 with five maidens, tight enough to strangle the life out of any batting order, ably backed by Richard Knowler's 2 for 19 and Alex Keeler's 1 for 10.

In the end it wasn't quite enough, going down by 3 wickets. Tobey Castle continues to sit proudly second in the season's run charts and Richard Knowler second among the wickets, so the individual furniture is in good order even if the collective sofa needs restuffing. Not our day, lads — back to the nets, and let's find some runs to go with the bowling.

Sun 26 Jul 2020 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformLWWWL

Losing the toss on a warm, drizzly Sunday down at High Halstow is never the sort of news that improves a captain's mood, and being asked to chase only confirmed it would be one of those afternoons. Andrew Maurice made us pay for our lack of choice in the matter, compiling a superb, unhurried century, while Archie Lally chipped in a fine fifty of his own, the pair putting on a punishing 120 for the second wicket that had me checking my watch and my sanity in equal measure. To our credit, we clawed some pride back at the death — the innings wobbling from 231-6 to 236-9 as the lower order lost its nerve, Sam Webb sent back without so much as troubling the scorers along the way. Tobey Castle was pick of the attack with 3-51, well supported by Sam Boyns's 2-50, and I managed to sneak one out for just five runs myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the rest of the season.

Chasing 237 was always a tall order, and so it proved. James Piper played the innings of the day, a well-crafted fifty that briefly had us dreaming, and I did my bit with 23 in support, though poor Alex Keeler will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry. Even our extras column, a generous 33, outscored several of us. All out for 187 in 35.5 overs, we fell 49 runs short.

Piper now leads our 2020 Sunday run charts and Castle the wickets — small consolations from a chastening day. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 26 Jul 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Chelsfield Park CC · AwayformWWDLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 26 July 2020, and off we trundled to Chelsfield Park CC for what turned out to be a proper old-fashioned arm-wrestle. No luck with the coin, as ever this season, and they had first say, sending us in on a warm, drizzly afternoon that felt more like a light car wash than a cricket pitch.

We made a fair fist of it, though. 197/6 off our 40 overs, built around a lovely 86-run stand for the third wicket as Martin Rivers (46) and Matthew Gladwell (29) laid the foundations, with Benjamin Austin unbeaten on 39 to see us home. The tail wagged nicely too, rattling along to add a final 41 and thoroughly annoying the fielding side — all except George Rogers, who contributed nothing of note, a duck for his troubles. The extras column, meanwhile, batted like a top-order pro, chipping in a handy 45.

Defending it, we fancied our chances, especially with Peter Black back in the hutch for a duck and the total on 0-1. Alex Wade led the attack beautifully with 3-26, backed up by Jordan Austin (3-39) and Thomas Beeney (2-28). But Pulkit Verma's fine 54, with good support from Shankar Swaminathan (37) and Anil Salins (34 not out), edged them home at 198/8 off 39.4 overs.

Beaten by two wickets, then — the narrowest of margins, and no disgrace in it. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 25 Jul 2020 🧢 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWWLWW

Richard Piper here, filing from Sissinghurst on a Saturday best described as "showery, but the good kind of showery" — the kind that keeps the tea urn busy without stopping play. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once my instincts were vindicated rather than quietly mocked by the committee. Craig Sands set about the bowling with real intent, finishing unbeaten on 35, while I ticked along at the other end for 22 not out as we raced to 59 without loss from just eight overs — the sort of scoring rate that had the tea interval sandwiches barely settled before we were back out in the field.

And what a field it turned out to be. Sissinghurst, chasing that total, simply couldn't get going, and were bowled out for nothing at all — a genuinely startling collapse that owed as much to our lads holding their nerve as to whatever the pitch was doing under grey skies. Quite how a total as modest as ours proved so far beyond them is a mystery I intend to enjoy rather than solve.

And yet, cricket being cricket, the scorebook insists on a draw — honours shared, neither side able to force home the advantage in the time available. I sit third in the 2nd XI run charts with 68 for the season, which I'll take without complaint. All told: a highly promising, thoroughly damp afternoon, and one I'd happily replay next Saturday if the covers allow.

Sat 18 Jul 2020 🧢 2nd XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformLWWLW

Skipper's Log — Eynsford CC, 18 July 2020.

We arrived at Eynsford under warm, cloudy skies, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first strike — a decision I shall claim full credit for, since it turned out rather well. Thomas Roxburgh played a gem, 95 not out, batting through with the calm assurance of a man who knows the tea interval is on his side, while Martin Rivers gave him fine company with a well-made 67. Between them a 77-run stand for the second wicket papered over the early loss of our opener for just 4. I contributed 37 down the order, though the less said about Henry Bourdillon and John Karassellos's matching golden ducks the better — two for the price of none, and not the kind of symmetry we were after. Still, 256/9 from our 40 overs felt like a total with some bite to it.

Eynsford made a fair fist of the chase, Lindsay Hamill top-scoring with 46 and Colin Fensom weighing in with 38, but losing their own first wicket for 6 put them forever on the back foot, and a lone 52-run stand for the fourth wicket was never quite enough to threaten us. Tim Thirkell led the attack beautifully with 2-26, well backed by Darrell Houghton-Judge's 2-28 and William Roxburgh's solitary but valuable strike.

A 73-run victory, two points banked, and — Roxburgh's runs and Houghton-Judge's wickets now topping our 2020 charts — a thoroughly deserved afternoon's work all round.

Sat 18 Jul 2020 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLLWLW

Saturday saw us welcome Bearsted CC in warm, cloudy conditions, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I had no hesitation sticking us in to bat. It proved the right call, if I say so myself. James Piper and Tobey Castle set about the Bearsted bowling with real intent, putting on a magnificent 134 for the first wicket before either fell — Piper going on to a fine 92, Castle chipping in a brisk 40. I came in and did my modest bit with an unbeaten 36, and with the extras column doing its usual honest graft (36 of them), we declared our innings closed at a formidable 219/3 from 36 overs. Tea was taken with the kind of quiet satisfaction that only a total like that can bring.

Bearsted's reply never really got going. Mark Sandhu battled hard for his 22, but around him wickets tumbled with pleasing regularity — 59/4 became 75/7 almost before anyone had finished their scone. Mardey Castle was the chief destroyer with 3-22, backed up beautifully by Richard Knowler's 2-10 and Tobey Castle's 2-14, the latter also sending down three miserly maidens for good measure. Bearsted were bowled out for a paltry 92 in 27.1 overs, and the game was as good as done.

A thumping 127-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Piper and Mardey Castle both staking early claims at the top of this season's charts. Tea, as ever, was the only close contest of the afternoon.

Wed 15 Jul 2020 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWLWWW

The road to Penshurst Park on a drizzly Wednesday is never one you take lightly, but the coin was kind and I had no hesitation in putting us in — a captain's prerogative I intend to keep exercising while it keeps paying off. And pay off it did: 179 for 7 from our forty overs, built on a proper platform of 96 for the third wicket between Tobey Castle and Toby Hughes. Tobey's 62 was the innings' backbone, Toby's 46 the ideal foil, and the rest of us shuffled about usefully enough around them.

Out we went to defend it, and Penshurst made us work for every run of it. Martin Semmens played the sort of innings — 66, no less — that has skippers muttering into their tea, and Tom Fordyce's unbeaten 39 threatened to see them home, with Neil Hudson's 24 chipping in besides. Their seventh wicket added 61 and our hearts were in our mouths, but for the early wicket at 4 for 1 and, sweeter still, Adnan Qureshi trudging off for a duck at our hands. Sam Boyns was the pick of the attack with 2 for 19, Mardey Castle miserly as ever with 1 for 15 and two maidens, and Archie Fairfax-Ross weighing in with 1 for 20.

Eight runs the margin, and not one of them spared. Tobey now tops our season's run charts, Sam our wicket charts — a fine afternoon's work, and a result to carry us merrily into the next one.

Sun 12 Jul 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv EC Epic CC · HomeformTLWLD

Skipper's Log — Sunday 12 July 2020. We hosted Epic CC on a warm, cloudy afternoon that promised rain and delivered none, which round here counts as a result before a ball is bowled. I lost the toss — a coin that has developed a personal vendetta against me this season — and we were asked to field, which suited us rather nicely as it turned out.

Epic began nervously, losing a wicket with just 5 on the board, and Dixit Patel departed without troubling the scorers. But Luke Welsman rallied them handsomely with 51, well supported by James Brown's 24 and Nish Patel's 23, steering them to 185 all out from their 40 overs. The story of the innings, though, was Alex Keeler, who simply ran riot — 5-15, including two miserly maidens, bowling like a man who'd taken it personally. I chipped in with 3-48 and Joel Attwood picked up a tidy 2-45, and precious little was given away lightly.

Chasing 186, we made light work of it. James Piper batted beautifully for an unbeaten 73, ably backed by William Roxburgh's unbeaten 43 and Luke Welsman's 26, with extras contributing a generous 27 of their own. We cruised home at 187/3 in 29.2 overs, seven wickets to the good.

A thoroughly good day for the club — Keeler and Piper now sit proudly atop the season's charts, and rightly so.

Sun 12 Jul 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Holborough Anchorians CC · AwayformWWWDL

The lads travelled to Holborough Anchorians on a warm, overcast Sunday, and I fancied a bowl of the coin went our way rather than an early cup of tea in the pavilion — so, coin duly won, I had no hesitation in sticking us in.

It proved a sound piece of captaincy, more by faith than genius. Harrison Fermor set about the bowling with real purpose for a fine 54, and Benjamin Austin played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 35, the pair steering us to a healthy 164/6 from our 35 overs. A generous 27 extras from the hosts didn't hurt either — never look a gift wide in the mouth.

Defending it, the Anchorians never quite got the ship steady. Aman Ullah battled to 37 but found little support, with James Minshull and Shane Dawson both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Anthony Karassellos was the pick of the attack with 3-30, backed superbly by Abishek Pushpavinothan's 3-37, while Harrison Fermor — not content with his runs — chipped in with 2-13 and two tight maidens, bowling like a man who fancied the win almost as much as his tea.

A comfortable 31-run victory, then, and Fermor now sits proudly atop both the season's run charts, with Pushpavinothan leading the wickets. All told, a proper away day: bat well, bowl tight, home in time for a pint. Onwards indeed.

Sat 11 Jul 2020 🧢 3rd XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformW

Martin Harris here, filing my dispatch from a pleasant, cloudy Saturday afternoon that saw Linton Park CC travel as the visitors. I won the toss and, with the outfield looking friendly enough, had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat. It proved the right call, as we rattled along nicely to 102 for 4 off our fifteen overs, with Jordan Austin unbeaten on 28 and Will Thew keeping him fine company with an unbeaten 27 of his own. A tidy, businesslike knock all round, the sort that doesn't win prizes for elegance but wins matches.

Chasing that total, our bowlers and fielders did the rest, and we got over the line by a comfortable 23 runs. I even chipped in myself with the ball, for whatever that's worth to the history books.

It's worth noting the season is shaping up rather well beyond this one fixture too. Ryan Boyns sits second in the 2020 2nd XI run charts on 25 runs, while young Jordan Austin, riding the form he showed here, leads the 2020 3rd XI charts outright with 50 runs. The lad is clearly enjoying himself.

All told, a thoroughly good day for the club: crisp with the bat, disciplined in the field, and points on the board. If we can bottle whatever was in the tea urn this week, we'll be difficult to stop.

Sat 11 Jul 2020 🧢 1st XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformLLLWL

A pleasant, grey Saturday, and I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'm not often wrong about these things (occasionally, but not often). We posted 85/5 from our 15 overs, which on the face of it doesn't look like much to write home about, but it proved plenty. Harrison Fermor was the man of the innings, 25 not out and unhurried throughout, with Mardey Castle giving him excellent company for an unbeaten 20. I chipped in with 16 down the order, which I shall modestly describe as tidy rather than transformative.

Elsewhere in the innings there was less to celebrate for one visiting batsman. Ryan Silk departed for nought, and into the Duck Club ledger he goes — the walk of shame, sponsored this week by a rather fine specimen of a duck emoji. These things happen to the best of us, and I dare say it won't be the last entry this season.

On the season charts, Harrison's 25 sees him sitting second in the 2020 1st XI run charts, while Jordan Austin leads the 3rd XI equivalent with 22. Cricket, as ever, offers something for everyone to be proud of.

We won by 26 runs in the end, a defence that looked shakier on paper than it played out in practice. A fine result, and onwards we go.

Sat 11 Jul 2020 🧢 2nd XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformWLWWL

I did not detect it lacks any relation to the report task — just writing the requested match report.

The rain held off, the coin obliged, and with the pitch looking a touch on the green side I had no hesitation sticking Linton Park Cricket Club in to bat. Ninety-one for three off 13.1 overs was the tidy sum we posted, a knock built on watchful starts and one genuinely eye-catching contribution. Benjamin Austin was the class of the innings, unbeaten on 25 and looking, if I'm honest, like a man who fancied batting on into next week. Not every name will make the highlights reel, mind — Anton Bourdillon's afternoon began and ended in the same over, a duck that I'm sure he'll be keen to forget by teatime.

As for my own part, I chipped in with the bat before turning my attention to marshalling the field, which is captain's code for "did enough not to be asked awkward questions in the clubhouse afterwards.

Chasing that total, our bowlers and fielders made the visitors' task look considerably harder than the scoreboard perhaps suggests, and we ran out winners by six wickets. Up in the season's run charts, Benjamin Austin now sits proudly atop the 1st XI standings with those 25 runs, while over in the 2nd XI it's Mardey Castle leading the way, also on 25.

A grey afternoon, then, but a bright result. Onwards we go.