🧢 Captain's Log

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

Saturday 26 September brought The Mote CC to Linton Park on a cool, damp, blustery afternoon — the kind of day where you can talk yourself into anything at the toss, and I talked myself into fielding first. I'll stand by it.

The visitors made themselves at home, racing to 216/6 from their 35 overs. Lewis Fawcett and Matthew White both eased serenely to unbeaten fifties, with Jason White chipping in with 49 for good measure — the sort of top order that makes a captain wish he'd stayed in bed. Small mercies came in the shape of Oliver Hills, back in the pavilion for a duck, and Alex Keeler, who did the real damage with 2-17. Tobey Castle (2-26) and Anthony Karassellos (2-58) lent honest support, though truth be told we were chasing shadows most of the afternoon.

Our reply never quite got going, folding for 112 in 27 overs. Luke Welsman's 30 and Jordan Austin's 26 were the only real resistance; everything else around them wilted rather too readily, with Richard Piper, Anthony Karassellos and John Karassellos all back for ducks. As for your captain — nought, and the least said about that innings the better.

Beaten by 104 runs, then, and no arguing with the scoreboard. There is a silver lining of sorts: Tobey Castle continues his fine season, second in the run charts and top of the wicket pile for 2020. For the rest of us, it's heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

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, Saturday 19 September 2020: the fixture list took us out to Sheldwich, and, this being a village green rather than a health spa, I duly won the toss and stuck us in the field, on the grounds that watching is easier than batting when you've a dodgy back.

Sheldwich made their way to 118 all out in 36.5 overs, Jon Taylor's 21 the only knock of note, and full credit to the bowlers for keeping a lid on things — two maidens from Anthony Karassellos (1-6) suggests a man in no mood for charity. Tim Thirkell was the chief tormentor, 4-10 figures that will look rather fine in the club almanac, ably backed up by Ian Hollingworth's 2-23. Chase down 119 and we're home.

Which, eventually, in the manner of these things, we were — though not without the traditional degree of self-harm. Richard Piper's 35 anchored things nicely, Will Thew's 20 kept the board ticking, and I chipped in with 35 of my own, more by luck than design. James West's golden duck joins the Duck Club ledger, poor lad, and Martin Rivers had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 18 byes conceded telling their own tale. We limped over the line at 122/9 off 37.4 overs — won by one solitary wicket.

Not pretty, not restful on the nerves, but two points is two points, and Richard Piper and Tim Thirkell continue to lead the run and wicket charts respectively. A proper nerve-shredder, thoroughly earned, and one for the scrapbook.

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

Skipper's Log, 19 September 2020. A warm, cloudy afternoon greeted us for the visit of Linden Park CC, and having won the toss my decision to bat first was, I'll admit, not the most complicated call of my captaincy career.

The lads duly repaid the faith, posting 250/6 from our 37 overs — a proper total built on Jordan Austin's well-made fifty (69), fine support from Craig Sands with a half-century of his own (50), and Benjamin Austin unbeaten on 45 to see the innings home. Tea was taken with a spring in the step and a total on the board that felt like it might just be enough to have Linden Park's openers checking the scoreboard nervously.

It rather didn't work out that way with the ball, though not for want of trying. Linden Park battled to 198/8 from their 45 overs, Tom Corner giving us a proper working over with a top score of 62, well supported by Richard Prescott (36) and Alistair McCulloch, unbeaten on 29. Alex Keeler was the pick of the attack with 2-27, with Tobey Castle chipping in admirably (2-42) and Daniel Thirkell picking up a wicket for just 5 — miserly stuff. Castle continues his fine season, sitting second in our run charts and top of the wicket pile.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw with a total like that on the board is the cricketing equivalent of leaving a fiver on the pub table — mildly maddening, but no disgrace in it.

Thu 17 Sep 2020 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformWWLWW

Thursday 17 September, under a pleasant grey Linton sky, we welcomed our visitors and I won the toss — or rather, chose first use of the ball, a decision I'd like to claim as tactical genius, though it was really just instinct and a glance at the clouds.

Instinct served us well enough. The visitors slipped to 2-1 early doors, and before anyone had settled into a deckchair the innings had unravelled further to 16-4, with G French, Max Butler and James Watkins all trudging back for ducks — three in a row is the sort of thing that makes a captain feel briefly invincible. George Taylor held firm for a fine 47, but he found little company, and the innings folded for 72 in 23.2 overs. Martin Harris was magnificent, 3-4 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Joshua Knowler's 3-17 and Alex Keeler's 2-6. I even found some rhythm myself and picked up three.

Chasing 73, Luke Welsman (29) and Jordan Austin (25) made light work of it, and we cantered home at 73-2 in a brisk 12.2 overs. Fittingly, Jordan's knock came in his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a milestone worth rather more than any line in the scorebook. He now sits third in our 2020 run charts with 60, while Alex Keeler leads the wickets column with six.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon: cheerful, comfortable, and won at a canter by eight wickets.

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

From the captain's chair — Sunday 13 September 2020. We hosted Brasted Invicta CC, lost the toss, and were sent out to field, which on a warm September afternoon felt like the toss going very much the wrong way.

It rather proved to be. Brasted piled up 281/4 from their 40 overs, built chiefly around Stuart Young's excellent 125 — three figures and no arguing with that — with Michael Lea's well-made 78 doing sterling support work and A Pearce unbeaten on 27 to round things off. Tim Thirkell toiled manfully for 2-48 and Darrell Houghton-Judge chipped in with 1-63, but 281 is 281, and the lads knew they had a proper chase on their hands.

To our credit, we had a real go. Shehryar Gul's fine 68 set the tone, Richard Piper pushed nicely past his own fifty with 59, and Anthony Karassellos added a brisk 40. Extras did their patriotic duty with 34, and I contributed a workmanlike 17 of my own. Alas, three ducks on the card — James West, George Rogers and Davy Matthews all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — meant we fell agonisingly short, all out for 263 in 38.2 overs. Spare a thought too for John Karassellos, who had a torrid time behind the stumps with sixteen byes going astray.

Down by 18 runs in the end — heads up, chins up, back to the nets. Small mercies: Piper leads our Sunday 2nd XI run charts for the season, and Thirkell sits second in the wickets. The rebuild starts next week.

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

Sunday 13th September saw Luddesdowne CC roll up to Linton Park on a warm, cloudy afternoon, and having won the toss I did what any self-respecting captain does when the coin obliges — I stuck us in, largely on the basis that it seemed the sort of decisive thing a captain ought to do.

The lads repaid that confidence handsomely. Abishek Pushpavinothan led from the front with a fine 43, Jordan Austin chipped in a valuable 41, and Will Thew added 22 as we posted a very respectable 205/8 from our 40 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

Defending it, we made an instant statement: Luddesdowne slipped to 0-1 before they'd so much as got comfortable, and the ducks kept coming — Andrew Peeke, Jordan Summerfield and Tony Hughes all departed without troubling the scorers. Sam Piddock's 35 and Ashley Baldwin's unbeaten 27 were about the only real resistance, with Richard Harris adding 21, but it was never enough against a rampant Pushpavinothan (3-9), well backed by Inus Joubert (3-21), Anton Bourdillon (2-42) and the positively miserly Alex Keeler, who bowled three maidens and gave absolutely nothing away. Luddesdowne folded for 145 in 33.1 overs.

A 60-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Pushpavinothan's all-round effort with bat and ball the undoubted highlight of an afternoon where, for once, everything I touched as captain seemed to turn out right.

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

Saturday the 12th of September saw Cudham Wyse CC visit us on a pleasant, if suitably grey, English afternoon — overcast enough that I fancied there might be something in it for the seamers, so when I called correctly at the toss there was no hesitation at all: we'd bowl.

It looked the right call for a while. Tim Thirkell was in miserly mood, two maidens among his figures of 3-24, with Fred Taylor (2-20) and Alex Wade (1-23) chipping in nicely. But Adnan Walayat had other ideas, batting through for an unbeaten 46, well supported by Junaid Mohammad (29) and Waseem Abbas (21), and Cudham closed on a healthy 173/7 from their forty overs.

Chasing it, we never quite got going. Richard Piper led the way with a tidy 29, I managed to match him with 29 of my own, and Owen Palmer weighed in with 20, but wickets fell around us and we were bowled out for 110 in 28.4 overs — Fred Taylor's blob rather spoiling an otherwise fine day with the ball, and poor John Karassellos having a torrid time behind the stumps, eight byes going begging.

There was, at least, one thing for the mantelpiece: Tim Thirkell's three wickets brought up 500 for his career and lifted him past Allan Cooper into 16th on the club's all-time list — some consolation on a day we went down by 63 runs. Not our afternoon. Heads up, and back to the nets.

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

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 09 September 2020, and the road took us to The Mote CC in what proved a highly satisfactory afternoon's work.

I called correctly at the toss and, with barely a flicker of hesitation, opted to bat. Benjamin Austin led the way with a well-made fifty of 59, and Tobey Castle matched him stroke for stroke with 55 of his own, the pair putting on 115 for the fifth wicket in a stand that did most of the heavy lifting. Aaron Hughes chipped in with a useful 32, and we closed on a handsome 230 for 6 from our 40 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than fret over it.

The Mote gave it a real go in reply, Thurasingham Maheshwaren top-scoring with a fine 69 and Theeshan Satkunaseelan following up with 57, the two adding 76 for the third wicket to keep our fielders honest. But cricket has a wonderful habit of turning on its head, and turn it did — from 187 for 4 to 190 for 7 in the blink of an eye, with Tom Burnap and Bobby Mathew both back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their name. Alex Keeler was quite magnificent, snaring 4 for 10, with Tobey Castle (2-33) and Martin Harris (2-55) lending splendid support as The Mote folded for 199 in 38.1 overs.

A 31-run victory, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved — the sort of afternoon that makes the drive home feel a good deal shorter than the drive out.

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

Down by Bidborough, 191/7 to 122 all out at Linton Park on a September afternoon that never quite went our way — losing the toss and being sent in to bowl set the tone before a ball was bowled.

Charlie Harding gave us the full tour, 81 of grinding, well-earned runs, with Stuart Pinchin's 34 lending steady support — the sort of stand that turns a tidy morning into a long afternoon in the field. Credit where due, though: Tobey Castle bowled beautifully for 3-29, backed superbly by Mardey Castle, whose 2-38 and three miserly maidens choked the scoring when it mattered, and Joshua Knowler chipped in with 1-42. Restricting them to 191/7 from 36 felt like a job reasonably well done.

Chasing it down was, in the end, a bridge too far. Mark Christmas battled to 31, I managed a modest 15, but wickets tumbled and we folded for 122 in 28.1 overs — Toby Hughes and Alex Keeler both departing for golden ducks, which is never much fun to watch from the other end. Silver linings, mind: Joshua Knowler brought up 3,000 career runs and climbed to 25th on our all-time wicket list, while Mardey Castle reached 50 career scalps — history quietly being made even in defeat. James Piper and Tobey Castle continue to lead our season's run and wicket charts respectively.

All told, a 69-run defeat and not our finest Saturday. Back to the nets, heads up — there's cricket yet to be won this summer.

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

Bearsted CC arrived on a damp but pleasant Saturday, and no sooner had we lost the toss than we found ourselves in the field, watching them settle in for what would become a long afternoon of leather-chasing. They ground their way to 132 all out in 34.3 overs, Tim Lush the chief architect with 36, well supported by Stephen Pearce (27) and Tim Croom (24). But the bowling attack had its say too: Henry Bourdillon was superb with 3-19, Anthony Karassellos and Tim Thirkell chipped in with 3-21 and 2-17 respectively, and Alex Wade strangled the scoring with two tidy maidens. Three Bearsted batsmen — Leo Charlton, Sam Luxton and Harry Slevin — departed without troubling the scorers, which felt, at the time, like a job reasonably well done.

Set 133 to win, we never quite found our rhythm. Aaron Hughes battled well for 30, and I did my modest bit with 15, but wickets tumbled steadily and we were all out for 120 in 35.5 overs — Martin Rivers and Alex Wade both making early returns to the pavilion for ducks, swelling the club's Duck Ledger nicely.

So, twelve runs shy at the death — the sort of defeat that stings less for the margin than for the sense we let a good bowling effort go to waste with the bat. Richard Piper continues his fine season with the bat and Anthony Karassellos leads the wicket charts, so there's plenty to be cheerful about. Not our day, but heads up — back to the nets, and on to the next one.

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

Sunday saw us head out to Borstal CC, and it was a day that ultimately got away from us, though not without a few tales worth telling by the tea urn.

Losing the toss, we were put into the field, and Borstal made hearty use of the opportunity, posting 191/9 from their 35 overs. William Hick gave us a proper working-over with a fine 75, well supported by Ian Coleman's 24. Credit where due, though — Nolan Wilde was a real handful with the ball, snaring 2-21, with Luke Welsman (2-21) and Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-26) chipping in nicely. Poor Tom Cleary departed without so much as a nibble.

In reply, 168/8 from our 35 overs was a battling effort but ultimately not quite enough. Richard Piper was the mainstay, sailing past his fifty to 62, ably assisted by Darrell Houghton-Judge's unbeaten 30 and James West's 26. I contributed a steady 30 myself, though Trevor Back and Alex Wade will want to forget their ducks in a hurry. Poor Martin Rivers had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking 9 byes for his troubles.

There was, at least, real cause for celebration: Darrell Houghton-Judge brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded all round.

Beaten by 23 runs in the end, then, but with Piper and Wade flying the flag atop the season's charts, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

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

Battle CC came to Linton Park on a showery August Sunday, and after a slice of good fortune with the coin I did what any captain does when the pitch looks a belter and the covers are nearby — I stuck us in to bat. It felt right at the time, and 228/5 off our 41.3 overs rather bore that out. Thomas Beeney anchored things nicely with 48 not out, Alex Keeler chipped in a brisk 41, and William Roxburgh finished unbeaten on 30, the pair adding a priceless 59 for the second wicket. Even the extras column pulled its weight with 34 — not something I'll be putting in the scorebook proudly, but runs is runs.

Battle's reply was the sort that gives a captain grey hairs. Guy Ballard played a genuinely fine innings of 89, and George Harris's unbeaten 57 alongside Leigh Tullett's 23 built a partnership of 116 for the fifth wicket that threatened to spirit the game away from us entirely. We did at least strike early — 4-1 — and there were smiles all round when Kieran and Michael Dudgeon both departed without scoring, though I'll spare the details of the duck dance. Alex Keeler was outstanding with the ball, 2-8, backed up by Jordan Austin (2-19, two miserly maidens) and Anton Bourdillon (2-25), but Battle held on at 220/9 from their 47.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair one. Roxburgh and Keeler continue to lead our run and wicket charts respectively, and on this evidence, deservedly so.

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

Saturday 29 August 2020, and we welcomed Bidborough CC on an afternoon that couldn't quite make its mind up — pleasant enough, with a persistent drizzle doing its best to dampen spirits, if not the outfield. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first, a decision I'm rather pleased to have got right for once.

William Roxburgh and our openers set the tone beautifully, putting on 73 before the first wicket fell, and Roxburgh went on to finish unbeaten on 56. Richard Piper chipped in handsomely with 53 and Martin Rivers added 33 to take us to a healthy 186 for 5 from our 36 overs. Not everything glittered — Darrell Houghton-Judge and Alex Wade both departed without troubling the scorers, ducks that I'm sure they'd rather forget, but the platform was more than enough.

With the ball, it was a proper team effort. Bidborough threatened briefly through Owen Blackhurst's 52 and a 58-run opening stand, with Gary Thorne offering support on 26, but Thomas Roxburgh was magnificent — 3 for 18 with two miserly maidens — backed up by William Roxburgh's 2 for 3 and Tim Thirkell's 1 for 24. Henry Dufty fell for a duck at our hands as the innings folded for 155 in 33.5 overs. I confess my own 53 with the bat gave me particular satisfaction.

Two points, thoroughly earned, by 31 runs — a fine day's work all round.

Sun 23 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv FC 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 down to West Farleigh, under skies that couldn't decide between drizzle and sunshine, with a wind that seemed determined to have the final say in everything. I lost the toss again — my record with the coin remains a running joke in the changing room — and we were put into the field.

West Farleigh made a battling 168 all out in 39.2 overs, built around a composed 54 from Greg Snape, with Alex Clark (24) and Saju Muthalaly (22 not out) chipping in either side of a stubborn 54-run third-wicket stand. Credit to our attack for keeping the ducks flowing at the other end — Darren McGrath, Atif Bhatti and Harris Aziz all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Anthony Karassellos was superb with 4-24, Thomas Roxburgh (3-28) and James West (2-28) chipped away nicely, and Alex Wade bowled three maidens that must have felt like an eternity to face.

Chasing 169, we got there in 32.1 overs for the loss of six, Thomas Roxburgh again to the fore with an unbeaten 46, well supported by Aaron Hughes (35) and Henry Bourdillon (33). A tense finish, but four wickets to spare in the end.

Special mention for Richard Piper, who brought up his 800th appearance in Linton colours — a magnificent innings of service in its own right. With Roxburgh now topping the 2nd XI run charts and Thirkell leading the wickets, the season's shaping up nicely. A good day for the club, and a fine way to spend a damp Saturday.

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

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 · AwayformLWDWW

Saturday last, 15 August, saw us on the road to Bidborough, and for once the coin actually cooperated — I called it right and had no hesitation in batting first, a decision I shall be dining out on for weeks. Luke Welsman played the innings of the day, a fine 51 that carried us, with Richard Piper's 40 and Martin Rivers' 31 providing the sturdy scaffolding around him. We closed on a healthy 195/7 from our forty overs. Less gloriously, poor Aaron Hughes trudged off for nought, condemned once more to the Duck Club ledger — the walk of shame performed, as ever, with quiet dignity. I even chipped in with 40 myself, which I mention here purely for the historical record and not at all because I'm fishing for compliments.

With runs on the board, we turned to the serious business of defending them, and the bowlers did not disappoint. Tim Thirkell was magnificent, ripping through with 3-17, well supported by Henry Bourdillon's 3-19 and Richard Knowler's 2-25. Bidborough simply had no answer and were bowled out, the innings folding well short of our total.

A word on the season so far: Martin Rivers continues to top the 2nd XI run charts with 126, while Tim Thirkell leads the wicket-takers with 8 — both men very much the engine room of this campaign.

Two points banked, won by 87 runs. A proper away-day victory, comfortably and thoroughly earned.

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

Bearsted arrived on a Saturday that could not decide whether it was summer, and neither could we — the toss went against us and Bearsted chose to bat, which on a warm, soggy afternoon felt like a mixed blessing at best.

As it turned out, the damp did us no harm at all. Miles Henslow made a fine 58 and Ben Johnston chipped in with 25, but from 56-3 we tore through them to 58-6 in the blink of an eye, with Lewis Bedwell, Dave Shutt and Will Terry all departing for ducks. Toby Hughes was the chief architect of the collapse, spinning his way to 6-18, with Mardey Castle (2-31) and Joshua Knowler (1-26) mopping up either end while Martin Harris kept things tight with two maidens. All out for 139 from 34 overs — a total that never quite felt safe.

Chasing it down, James Piper and William Roxburgh gave us the perfect platform, 91 runs added for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came. Piper went on to a well-made 52, ably supported by Daniel Thirkell's unbeaten 30 and Roxburgh's 26; I managed a workmanlike 30 myself, while Tobey Castle and George Taylor contributed golden ducks of their own. We got there at 140/5 in 35.5 overs.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a five-wicket win to show for a day that started under grey skies and ended in good cheer.

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

From the captain's chair — Sunday 09 August 2020, and Bidborough CC rolled into Linton Park for a scorching, grey sort of afternoon, the kind that can't decide whether it's summer at all. Won the toss, and with the pitch looking a treat, there was only one call to make: we'd bat.

What followed was as handsome a display as I've had the pleasure of watching from the boundary. Jordan Austin batted like the weather owed him nothing, ploughing on to an unbeaten 103 — three figures, and not a hint of fuss about it. Paul Bourdillon chipped in a classy 58, and Benjamin Austin finished unbeaten on 42, the pair of them making sure the innings never lost its shape. 222/3 off our 35 overs was the sort of total that has the tea urn buzzing with quiet confidence.

Defending it, Bidborough didn't come quietly — Archie Wells (75) and Dylan Hillhouse (51) both passed fifty and threatened to make a match of it. But Alex Wade had other ideas, tearing through with 3-27 including two maidens, backed up by Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-13) and Nolan Wilde (1-18), while Cameron Scholes and James Masters both departed without troubling the scorers. All out for 184 in 34 overs.

We got over the line by 38 runs. Austin's runs and Wade's wickets keep them atop the season's charts, and rightly so. A very good day for the club — and, dare I say, a rather good one for the skipper's blood pressure too.

Sun 09 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC 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 · HomeformWLWDW

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 · AwayformLLLWL

Saturday, 8 August 2020, away to Farningham CC, and the heavens couldn't decide whether to shine or spit on us — a scorching, drizzly sort of afternoon that felt very English cricket. I lost the toss, which these days I take as read, and we were sent into the field.

Farningham posted 114 all out in 33.5 overs, Krishna Shanmuganathan the chief architect with 40, well backed by Caiden Lomas's 25. But we struck early and often — 1 for 1 inside moments, and a trio of ducks for Reese Thwaites, Chris Scott and Matthew Ward kept the champagne on ice for the home side. Richard Knowler was magnificent, 3-13, with Toby Hughes (2-11) and Alex Keeler (2-27) mopping up the rest. A proper team effort with the ball.

Chasing 115, we barely broke sweat: 117 for 1 in 17.2 overs. James Piper played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 61, calmly supported by Daniel Thirkell's unbeaten 38. I managed a modest 38 of my own, mostly by staying out of their way.

Piper now sits atop our 2020 run charts with 153, and Knowler leads the wickets with 7 — the engine room of this side, clearly.

Nine wickets, two points, and not a moment of doubt along the way. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, drizzle and all.

Sun 02 Aug 2020 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv GC 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 · HomeformWWLWD

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 · AwayformLLLLW

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

From the captain's chair — Sunday 26 July 2020, away at High Halstow CC on a warm, drizzly sort of afternoon, the kind that makes you wonder whether to bowl in a jumper. We lost the toss, were asked to chase, and duly settled in for a long one with the ball in hand first.

High Halstow made merry to the tune of 236/9 from their forty overs, built chiefly around a superb hundred from Andrew Maurice — 101 of real substance — ably supported by Archie Lally's fine fifty of 57, the pair adding a crucial 120 for the second wicket that rather set the tone. Credit to the lads that we hauled things back from 231-6 to 236-9 in the closing overs, with Tobey Castle the pick of the attack (3-51), well backed by Sam Boyns (2-50) and Daniel Thirkell (1-5).

Chasing 237, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening. James Piper played the innings of the day, a well-made 63, with Daniel Thirkell chipping in 23 and your captain adding a further 23 alongside him. Alas, Sam Webb and Alex Keeler both departed without so much as troubling the scorers — twin ducks that put a real dent in proceedings — though the extras column did its bit with a generous 33. All out for 187 in 35.5 overs, we fell 49 runs short.

A footnote of pride amid the gloom: Martin Harris's solitary wicket eased him past Gordon Fenner into 14th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Beaten, then, but not disgraced — we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 26 Jul 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC 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 · AwayformLWWLW

Away at Sissinghurst on Saturday 25th July, and for once the coin gods smiled on me — won the toss and never seriously considered doing anything but batting. It turned out to be the right call, if I say so myself, though I'll admit the credit belongs rather more to Craig Sands and Richard Piper than to any great tactical genius on my part.

Craig set about the Sissinghurst attack with real intent, finishing unbeaten on 35, while Richard played the perfect foil with a composed 22 not out. Between them they saw us to 59 without loss from just 8 overs — the kind of start that has the tea urn practically boiling itself in anticipation. I can't claim much of the glory there, having spent the innings largely admiring proceedings from the boundary.

With the ball, we turned up the heat and Sissinghurst simply had no answer, dismissed for none all out — a spell of bowling that did the top order's good work proud. I chipped in with 22 myself, more out of duty than brilliance, but every run counts when the scoreboard's ticking along nicely. Richard, meanwhile, continues his fine season, sitting third in the 2nd XI run charts on 68 for the summer.

In the end, honours were shared and the match finished a draw — neither side quite able to force matters home. A curious result given the shape of the day, but a thoroughly pleasant one nonetheless, and I'll happily take a trip to Sissinghurst on those terms any day of the week.

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

Skipper's Log, Saturday 18th July 2020 — the road took us to Eynsford, warm and cloudy overhead, and mercifully the toss fell our way. I elected to bat, and for once the decision looked wise rather than reckless before a ball was bowled.

We lost our opener cheaply at 4-1, the sort of early stumble that usually has me pacing the boundary muttering, but a fine 77-run stand steadied the ship. Thomas Roxburgh played the innings of the day, 95 not out and unlucky not to reach three figures, with Martin Rivers's well-made 67 and Richard Piper's 37 filling out a total of 256/9 from our forty overs. Henry Bourdillon and John Karassellos both departed for golden ducks — these things happen to the best of us, lads, chins up — but 256 was a score to defend with some confidence.

And defend it we did. Eynsford never quite got away from us, losing their first wicket for 6, and although Lindsay Hamill (46) and Colin Fensom (38) built a 52-run partnership to threaten a scare, they closed on 183/8. Tim Thirkell led the attack beautifully with 2-26, well supported by Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-28) and William Roxburgh (1-18) — and I even chipped in with 37 of my own, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks.

Seventy-three runs the margin, two points thoroughly earned. A proper away-day job, this — bat well, bowl tighter, and let Eynsford do the collapsing for once.

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

From the captain's chair — Saturday 18 July, and a warm, cloudy afternoon greeted us for Bearsted CC's visit. The coin obliged, I put us in, and for once the plan met the execution: James Piper played an innings of real substance, 92 to his name, while Tobey Castle's 40 and an unbeaten 36 from Daniel Thirkell built handsomely on it. The openers put on 134 before Bearsted so much as got a sniff of a wicket — I confess I rather enjoyed watching that stand from the safety of the boundary rope. Even the extras column got in on the act with 36. All told, 219/3 from 36 overs was a total that had the tea urn practically boiling over in anticipation.

Then to the field, where the lads turned into a rather more efficient unit than usual. Bearsted's innings had barely got its boots on before it was unravelling — 59/4 to 75/7 in the blink of an eye — and Mardey Castle led the charge with a fine 3-22, well backed by Richard Knowler's 2-10 and Tobey Castle's 2-14, the latter also depositing three maidens with the kind of parsimony that would make a bank manager weep. Mark Sandhu's defiant 22 was the only real resistance. Bearsted were bowled out for 92 in 27.1 overs, and I chipped in a modest 36 myself, mostly for appearances.

A win by 127 runs, then — comfortable enough that even I couldn't overthink it. A very good day for the club.

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

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

Sunday 12th July, and Epic CC arrived to find the covers off and the sun doing its best behind a duvet of cloud. I lost the toss — no great surprise this season — and we were asked to have first use of the ball, which suited the lads down to the ground.

It didn't start well for the visitors, an early wicket falling with just 5 on the board to set nerves jangling, and Dixit Patel's duck against us set the tone. From there Alex Keeler simply ran riot — 5 for 15, including two miserly maidens, the sort of spell that has openers checking the fixture list for his name. Martin Harris (3-48) and Joel Attwood (2-45) tidied up admirably in support, though Luke Welsman's 51, with James Brown (24) and Nish Patel (23) chipping in, dragged Epic to 185 all out from their 40 overs — respectable, but never quite enough against that bowling.

Chasing 186, James Piper batted with real class for an unbeaten 73, William Roxburgh's 43 not out keeping him fine company, and Luke Welsman weighed in again with 26 — the man clearly can't decide which discipline he prefers. A generous 27 in extras from our hosts didn't hurt either, and we cantered home on 187/3 in 29.2 overs, seven wickets in hand. I even helped myself to three with the ball, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity until Christmas.

Piper now tops our Sunday run charts, Keeler the wickets — and on this evidence, long may both reigns continue. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 12 Jul 2020 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC 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 · HomeformL

Saturday 11 July 2020, and Linton Park CC rolled up as the visiting side under pleasant, cloudy skies — the sort of afternoon that makes a captain feel he's got it all in hand, right up until he hasn't. I won the toss, and with the confidence of a man who has clearly not learned from history, elected to bat first.

We got ourselves to 102 for 4 off our fifteen overs, which felt like a decent platform even as I said it out loud. Jordan Austin anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 28, and Will Thew chipped in handsomely alongside him with 27 not out — both left stranded at the close, no doubt wondering what a few more overs might have brought. Austin, for what it's worth, continues to lead the 2020 3rd XI run charts with 50 for the season, while Ryan Boyns sits proudly second in the 2nd XI standings on 25 — proof that somewhere in this club, runs are being scored with alarming regularity.

Alas, 102 wasn't enough to trouble our opponents, who saw us off by 23 runs in the end. A touch tight in the field, a touch generous with the extras, no doubt — the usual suspects. Still, no need for inquests over the teas; the lads competed, the sun stayed out, and Austin and Thew gave us something to build on.

We'll be better for it next week. We usually are, eventually.

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

Beaten by 26 runs at home on a grey Saturday, and I'll say straight away I don't regret winning the toss and having a bat — I still think it was the right call, even if the scoreboard now begs to differ.

We limped, nudged and occasionally clattered our way to 85 for 5 off our fifteen overs, which in the cold light of Sunday morning looks a touch light. Harrison Fermor was the rock at one end, unbeaten on 25 and playing very much the innings of a man who knows he's currently propping up second spot in the 1st XI run charts. Mardey Castle gave him fine company with an unbeaten 20, and between them they dragged us to something resembling respectability. I contributed a workmanlike 16 myself, more graft than grace. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Ryan Silk, who took the long, lonely walk back to the pavilion for a golden duck — the Duck Club ledger duly updated, 🦆 and all, much to the delight of the rest of the lads.

In the end 85 was never quite enough, and we went down by 26 runs on a pleasant if unforgiving grey afternoon. No shame in it — Jordan Austin can console himself leading the 3rd XI run charts, and Harrison's runs weren't wasted even in defeat.

Verdict: a battling total undone by a touch too little in the tank. We'll regroup, dust off the pads, and be better for it next week.

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

Saturday 11 July, and Linton Park Cricket Club came calling on a pleasant, grey sort of afternoon — the kind that threatens rain just enough to keep you honest without ever actually delivering any. I won the toss, and after a moment's deliberation (well, several moments, if I'm honest) elected to bat first, which felt like the bold, captain-ly thing to do.

The lads set about their work and racked up 91 for 3 from 13.1 overs — brisk enough to suggest we meant business, if not quite brisk enough to trouble the scorers into a second ink cartridge. Benjamin Austin was the standout, unbeaten on 25 and looking every inch the man in form; he now leads our 2020 1st XI run charts, and deservedly so. Elsewhere, spare a thought for poor Anton Bourdillon, who departed for a golden duck — the sort of dismissal that earns you a sympathetic pat on the back and a merciless ribbing in the pavilion in equal measure. Credit too to Mardey Castle, topping the 2nd XI charts on the same tally of 25 — proof there's batting depth in this club yet.

Alas, 91 proved a touch light for the tea-table, and Linton Park chased it down for the loss of six wickets, leaving us on the wrong end of the result. Still, no need for inquests over the biscuits — we'll dust ourselves off, have a stern word with the top order, and come back stronger next week. A defeat, yes, but not a disgrace.