🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 21 Sep 2025 🧢 Friendly XIv Sherwood CC, Kent · HomeformWWLLW

It was Sherwood CC, Kent, who visited us on Sunday, and a pleasant, cloudy afternoon it turned out to be — the sort of gentle English weather that seems designed for cricket and little else. I lost the toss, which these days I take as read, and duly found myself leading the lads into the field.

Sherwood posted 140 all out in 32.2 overs, propped up chiefly by Saad Sohail's well-made fifty of 62. But bowl well we did: Martin Harris was the pick of us with 3-20, backed superbly by Nolan Wilde's tidy 2-3 and Will Thew's 1-9. Lance Coventry and Patrick Minhard both went for ducks at our hands, which I shan't dwell on too unkindly — every side needs its sacrificial lambs.

Chasing 141, we got there in some style, 142/6 off 25 overs, with Anthony Karassellos top-scoring on 35 and Theo Clements chipping in nicely with 26. Four wickets to spare, and a job done with time to reflect over the teas.

There was extra reason for cheer: Martin Harris's three scalps see him leapfrog Tim Thirkell into 6th on the club's all-time wicket-taking list — a fine achievement, quietly delivered, as is his way. Luke Welsman continues to sit handsomely in 2nd on our season's run charts, and Will Thew leads the wickets column.

A fine win, all told, and a fine afternoon's cricket. Onwards we go.

Sat 20 Sep 2025 🧢 Friendly XIv Cudham Wyse CC · HomeformWWWLL

Off the coin we lost the toss and, as ever, it went straight in Cudham Wyse's favour — first use of the bat while we made do with the ball on a warm, showery, blustery Saturday. Moazzam Sultan settled in and made a proper nuisance of himself, motoring past his fifty to 63, with Adil Ijaz (34 not out) and Pavan Singasany (21) chipping in as their total climbed to a stiff 185/6 from the full forty. Credit to the lads with the ball though — Luke Welsman bowled with real discipline, four maidens and figures of 2-4 that kept the scoring in check, while Will Thew (2-46) and Toby Hughes (1-4) chipped away either end.

Chasing 186, we set about it the way this club does best: making things far harder than they needed to be. Daniel Baker played the innings of the day, a composed 51, with Luke Welsman (35) following his bowling heroics with the bat and Christian Eloff (23) keeping things ticking. Stuart Beardwell and Euan Beardwell, meanwhile, contributed the traditional golden ducks 🦆 — a fine club tradition of giving the opposition hope just when none was warranted.

In the end it came down to the very last pairing, 186/9 off 39.4 overs, a one-wicket win that owed as much to nerve as to skill. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a result that will be talked about in the clubhouse long after the showers have cleared — this was scrappy, occasionally chaotic, and utterly typical of us. Verdict: a win to treasure, however unconvincingly we arrived at it.

Sat 20 Sep 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv SC Sidcup CC · AwayformWWWWW

Off we went to Sidcup CC on Saturday, under skies that couldn't quite decide between drizzle and sunshine, with the wind doing its level best to interfere with everybody's plans. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — one of those calls that looks a great deal more astute in hindsight than it felt in the moment, but there we are, I'll take the credit.

And what a foundation the top order laid. Laura Thorogood anchored things beautifully with 32 not out, while Laura Boorman (30 not out) and Hannah Odling (30 not out) kept the scoreboard humming along without so much as troubling the scorers for a fallen wicket. 129 without loss from our 16 overs was a proper platform, and gave the bowlers licence to attack from ball one.

Attack they did. Sidcup lost an early wicket with just 2 on the board, and it rather set the tone — Katie Marnott and Arya Sofi both departed without scoring off our bowling. Laura Boorman was superb with the ball too, 2 for 11, backed up nicely by Carly Copping (1-3) and Claire Rootes (1-6), while Bhavika Sevani's unbeaten 23 and Isobel Regan's 21 were about the only real resistance. Sidcup closed on 86 for 8.

A 43-run win, then, built on a proper team performance with bat and ball alike. Onwards indeed.

Sat 20 Sep 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Chestfield CC · HomeformWWWWW

It was warm and damp and blustery when we won the toss against Chestfield CC, and I have no hesitation in saying that electing to bat was the right call — even if I say so myself.

The girls set about it with real purpose. Sixteen overs brought us 140 for the loss of just one wicket, which by any measure is proper batting. Laura Boorman anchored things beautifully with 31 not out, and she had excellent company: Fiona Beardwell weighed in with 31 not out of her own, while Hannah Odling chipped in an unbeaten 30. Between the three of them there was barely a false stroke to be seen, and I confess I rather enjoyed watching from the boundary with a cup of tea.

In the field, Chestfield replied with 122 for 5 from their sixteen overs — Isla Sidders top-scoring with 31 not out, well supported by Mabel Camp's unbeaten 30. Our bowling did its job when it mattered: Laura Thorogood led the way with 1-10, backed up nicely by Laura Holdstock (1-13) and Michaela Karassellos (1-15). I'll admit our discipline wandered somewhat — nine wides and twenty no-balls is not a tally I'll be framing for the clubhouse wall — but we got away with it.

We got over the line by 18 runs, and with Laura Boorman still topping the season's run charts and Laura Holdstock leading the wickets, it was, all told, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 20 Sep 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Town Malling CC · AwayformWWWLW

As it happened on a Saturday not so long ago, September the 20th to be precise, the road took us to Town Malling. Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to think the coin has it in for me — and duly found ourselves inserted. We limped to 107 for 8 from our 35 overs, a total that flattered nothing and deceived nobody. Nolan Wilde dug in for a battling 25, and rather too many of us admired the pavilion from the crease before returning to it — William Gray and Trevor Back both walked back without troubling the scorers, ducks apiece.

Still, with ball in hand we at least gave a good account of ourselves. Nolan Wilde, having done his bit with the bat, then ran in beautifully for 2 for 9, and William Gray chipped in with 1 for 11 — Henry Varley and Daniel Clark both fell to us without scoring, small consolations amid the gathering gloom. But Town Malling's openers had other ideas, putting on a chastening 93 for the first wicket before we so much as looked at the wicket column, and Sam Eyre sailed to an unbeaten 51, ushered along by Adam Nix's composed 28 not out. They cantered home in 23.3 overs, seven wickets in hand.

A word of cheer amid the wreckage: Anthony Karassellos continues his fine season, now fifth in the 2nd XI run charts with 177 to his name. As for the rest of us — well, 107 was never going to trouble anyone, and we didn't. Beaten by seven wickets, fairly and squarely. We'll regroup, we'll bat with a touch more resolve, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 07 Sep 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Teston CC · HomeformLWWLL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 7th September 2025, and Teston CC came calling at Linton Park. Lost the toss, asked to bowl first, which these days feels less like tactics and more like a formality around here.

Teston posted 176/5 from their forty overs, built chiefly around Mike Beacher's fine 65, with Kieran Savage unbeaten on 43 and Jacob Driver chipping in 24. To our credit, we didn't let it run away entirely — Tim Thirkell was the pick of the attack with 2-25, the Karassellos brothers shared a wicket apiece (John 1-12, Anthony 1-13), and Alexander Nunn bowled two tidy maidens to keep the scoreboard honest.

Chasing 177, we made a proper fist of it. Nick Pennefather played the innings of the day with a classy 71, and the extras column did its bit too with 29 — though quite how they got that many byes past me at the non-striker's end is a question for another day. Sadly poor John Karassellos, so miserly with the ball, had nothing to show with the bat, out for a duck. All out 168 in the 39th over, eight runs shy.

Small consolation: Tim Thirkell's two wickets nudged him past Martin Harris into 6th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and he still leads the 2nd XI wicket charts with 23, with Anthony Karassellos top of the run-scorers on 414.

Not our day, then — beaten by a whisker rather than outclassed. Heads up, chins forward, back to the nets.

Sun 07 Sep 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWWWWW

Onwards, indeed. Now, put me in to bowl on a Sunday and I'll find some reason to regret it by tea — but not this week. Winning the toss and sticking Leeds & Broomfield in felt like the right call at the time, and for once the skipper's hunch didn't blow up in his face.

Leeds & Broomfield never really got going, bundled out for 93 in 27.3 overs against an attack that had its dander up. Tobey Castle led from the front with 2-16, Will Hughes chipped in with 2-25, and Toby Hughes was a picture of miserliness — 1-6 off his overs, three of them maidens, the sort of spell that has batters muttering into their gloves.

Chasing 94 should have been a formality, and it very nearly wasn't — a wicket down with the scoreboard still reading nought is the kind of start that has the tea urn boiling before its time. Mardey Castle's duck didn't help matters (🦆), but William Roxburgh steadied the ship in fine style, unbeaten on 32, with Jordan Austin lending good support on 20 as we motored home to 94/4 in just 14.4 overs.

Jordan continues to top the season's run charts with 508, and Thomas Beeney sits proudly atop the wickets列表 with 20 — the sort of consistency the rest of us can only doff our caps to.

A six-wicket win, then, earned the hard way after a wobble. We'll take it, and happily. Onwards indeed. 🏏

Sat 06 Sep 2025 🧢 3rd XIv MC Minster (Sheppey) CC · AwayformWLLWD

Beaten by 127 runs at Minster (Sheppey) on a warm, cloudy Saturday, but I'll stand by the toss — fielding first was the right call, even if the scoreboard didn't quite agree with me by teatime.

Minster batted with more patience than we managed to muster in reply, running up 217 all out in 36.2 overs. Stewart Cruickshank's unbeaten 32 was the spine of it, with Raees Alam (29) and Jacob Carter (27) filling in nicely around him. Credit where it's due to our attack, mind — Nolan Wilde bowled his heart out for 3-33, and Tim Thirkell (3-38) and Spencer Gray (2-37) kept chipping away when it mattered.

Ninety all out in 31.3 overs was never going to get us there. Nolan Wilde, having already done his bit with the ball, then top-scored with 46 and carried what little fight we had left. The rest of us, less said the better — myself very much included, having contributed a golden duck to proceedings. Richard Piper, Josh Gurney and William Gray joined me on that particular walk of shame; quite the gathering for the Duck Club this week.

Small mercies: Nolan Wilde now sits fourth in the 3rd XI's season run charts on 175, and Tim Thirkell tops the wicket pile with 23. Individually, then, we're not doing badly. Collectively, we were second best from ball one. A chastening afternoon, but there's always next Saturday to put it right.

Sat 06 Sep 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Upchurch CC · HomeformWWWWL

Right, the first over of the first over, here we go.

Saturday 6th September, and Upchurch CC rolled up under warm, overcast skies for what turned out to be a proper old-fashioned dogfight. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — the pitch had "bowl last and thank me later" written all over it, and I like to think I read it correctly, even if our top order didn't entirely agree, with the first wicket gone for just 1.

We stumbled to 105 all out in 31.1 overs, a scoreline that flattered nobody, though Michael Ludick's 43 was the innings' backbone, with Brandon Eloff chipping in a handy 22. Between 82 and 95 the wheels came off spectacularly — five wickets for thirteen runs is not cricket, it's vandalism — and Altus Diener, Will Hughes and Ian Bruce all made the long, silent walk back for ducks. A trio of quacks to file under "best forgotten."

Defending 105 felt like bringing a butter knife to a swordfight, but the lads had other ideas. Anthony Karassellos was magnificent, ripping through them for 4-14, with Henry Campbell right alongside him at 4-15 and two miserly maidens, and I managed a wicket of my own for good measure. Rakesh Sasubilli and William Cotta both departed without scoring, and it was the eleventh over — two wickets in a blink — that broke Upchurch's spirit for good. They folded for 92.

Thirteen runs the margin, and not a single one wasted. A scruffy batting effort rescued by bowling of real quality — the kind of afternoon that reminds you why we bother turning up at all.

Sat 06 Sep 2025 🧢 1st XIv Upchurch CC · AwayformWWWLW

Match report — Saturday 06 September 2025, away to Upchurch CC.

Lost the toss, asked to chase, and my heart sank a little as I trudged out to field first — a feeling that proved entirely justified once Michael Hales Jnr got going. He carried the Upchurch innings to a superb hundred, well supported by Junaid Allie's 60 and a brisk 20 from Darren Delport, as they racked up 237/9 from their 45. Credit where due, though: Tobey Castle was outstanding with the ball, 3-42, backed up nicely by Toby Hughes (2-30, two tidy maidens thrown in) and Thomas Beeney (1-29). Not a total we could shrug off, but not out of reach either.

With the bat, Benjamin Austin played the innings of the day — a fine 59 — and found an excellent ally in Tobey Castle, unbeaten on 25, the pair adding 67 for the second wicket to give us something to build on. I chipped in with 25 and, for once, found a bit of rhythm with the ball too, taking 3 wickets for good measure. Sadly Sunny Reddy, Ollie Whittingham and Josh Rose all made early returns to the pavilion, and 40 extras (with poor Tobey shipping 9 byes behind the stumps) told their own story. We finished on 213/8 — 24 runs short.

Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 31 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Harvel CC · HomeformLLWWL

Sunday 31 August found us hosting Harvel CC under skies that couldn't quite make up their mind – a soft drizzle setting the tone for an afternoon that, in hindsight, mirrored the weather: promising in patches, ultimately deflating. I called correctly at the toss and, with damp air about, had no hesitation in sending them in.

Harvel made themselves at home, posting 186/6 from their 40 overs. Ankit Mudgil led the charge with a well-constructed fifty, well supported by Philip Darby's 35 and Henry MacDonald's 25. To our credit, the ball was far from toothless – Anthony Karassellos did the real damage with 2-18, Alexander Daniels chipped in admirably with 2-26, Nolan Wilde snared one for 28, and James Gray bowled with the miserliness of a man guarding his allotment, sending down two maidens.

Chasing 187, we never quite found our rhythm, subsiding to 145/9 from our own 40 overs. Daniel Baker stood firm and unbeaten on 49, top-scoring in a losing cause and giving the scorebook at least one line worth framing.

On the season's ledger, Anthony Karassellos continues to lead the 2025 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 413 to his name, while Zach Wilde sits proudly third among the wicket-takers with 13 scalps.

Not our day, then – beaten by 41 runs, heads bowed but not bloodied. Back to the nets it is, and back we shall come.

Sat 30 Aug 2025 🧢 4th XIv Sherwood CC, Kent · AwayformWLWWL

Rarely have I walked out for a toss quite so pleased to lose it. Sherwood put us in, and I confess I did wonder whether we'd live to regret it — but Rahul Parakh had other ideas, cracking a glorious 85 and clubbing the shot of the day, a six thumped square on the off side. Harvey Lowe chipped in with a classy 58, the two of them adding 122 for the second wicket, Reuben Mundell chirped in with 23, and even our extras column had a career-best 34. Euan Beardwell, alas, made the long walk for nought — the ducks are mounting up on the shed wall this season.

239/6 felt like a proper total, and so it proved. Ian Lowe was quite magnificent with the ball, 4-28 including four maidens, tying Sherwood in knots, while Josh Gurney (2-16) and Rahul Parakh, not content with his runs, added 1-12 for good measure. Sherwood's lower order threw up defiant resistance with a last-wicket stand of 53, and Mark Gingles battled to 36 not out, but by then the game was long gone — 1-1 becoming 9-4 and the rot well and truly in. Patrick Hemingway departed without troubling the scorers, keeping Euan company on the duck bench.

Daniel Baker had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes going begging, and there were runs leaking square all afternoon as both sides fed shots off the back foot. No matter — we ran out winners by 86 runs, Rahul Parakh now top of the club's run charts and Ian Lowe top of the wickets. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 30 Aug 2025 🧢 3rd XIv OC Old Williamsonians CC · HomeformWWLLW

Saturday 30 August 2025, and Old Williamsonians CC came to Linton Park for what turned out to be one of those honours-even affairs that leaves you scratching your head all the way to the tea urn. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in sending the visitors in — and for a good while it looked the masterstroke it deserved to be.

Richard Dalton played the innings of the day for them, 71 well-made runs the spine of their 155 all out from 37.1 overs, but the story with ball in hand was ours. Praveen Tunga was magnificent, tearing through with 4-31, ably supported by Tim Thirkell's 4-33 and a wicket for Farhan Malik. Richard Knowler, meanwhile, bowled two maidens of the sort that make batsmen mutter into their gloves. James Hyder departed without so much as a nudge off the mark — harsh way to spend an afternoon.

With 155 to chase and the platform laid, we somehow contrived to make heavy weather of it, closing on a distinctly modest 37/3 from just 10.4 overs. Theo Clements will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but the Duck Club ledger waits for no man.

A draw, then — honours shared, bowlers toasted, batsmen quietly reflective. On the balance of the day's work, I'd call it two points stolen rather than two points shared.

Sat 30 Aug 2025 🧢 2nd XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · AwayformWWWWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 30 August 2025 — away at Cobham CC, Kent, under a sky that couldn't quite make its mind up between sunshine and drizzle.

Won the toss, had a look at the skies, and stuck us in. Right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook now says. Cobham built steadily to 176 all out in 39.3 overs, Tom Simcock the chief architect with a tidy fifty, well backed up by Jonathan Niranjan (35) and Jacob Ward, unbeaten on 32. Brandon Eloff was magnificent with the ball, 4-13 of pure discipline, while Michael Ludick (3-25, two maidens) bowled like a man with a grudge against the scoreboard and Anthony Karassellos chipped in with 1-19. Henry Fothergill and Clive Marshall both departed for ducks, which felt like scant reward for our efforts at the time — little did we know.

Chasing 177, we simply never got going. Altus Diener's 31 and Michael Ludick's 28 were the only real substance on a card otherwise littered with alarm, Anthony Karassellos, Martin Harris and Christian Eloff all falling without troubling the scorers. Johan Eloff had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, nine byes leaking away like the drizzle overhead, and your skipper's own 16 will not be troubling the highlights reel. All out for 109 in 16.3 overs — a chase that never found its legs.

Sixty-seven runs the wrong side of the ledger, then, and a long drive home to reflect on it. Altus Diener still tops our season's run charts and Anthony Karassellos the wickets, so the talent is plainly there — we simply need to remember where we left it. Back to the nets, heads up, better next week.

Sat 30 Aug 2025 🧢 1st XIv Kings Hill CC · HomeformLWWWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 30 August 2025, and we welcomed Kings Hill CC to Linton Park on an afternoon that couldn't quite decide whether it was summer or not: pleasant enough between showers, blustery throughout, and drizzly just to keep everyone humble. The coin behaved itself for once and I had few qualms about batting first.

Runs came steadily rather than spectacularly, 206/9 from our 45 overs, built around a composed 55 not out from Alex Keeler, with Thomas Roxburgh (25) and Tobey Castle (23) chipping in nicely. The innings of the day, though, was a ninth-wicket stand worth 60 — proof that cricketing sense doesn't always arrive in order of the batting card. Poor Toby Hughes will have to make do with a duck for his troubles, though a generous 39 extras from Kings Hill did no harm to our cause at all.

With the ball we set about defending it, and the visitors were bowled out for 190 in 42.2 overs despite a battling 43 from Ben Taylor. Tom Campbell led the attack beautifully with 3-38, well supported by Thomas Roxburgh's 3-48 and two wickets and two miserly maidens from Toby Hughes, redeeming his afternoon nicely. I added a modest 23 with the bat for good measure.

Off the field, Jordan Austin reached 9,000 career runs for the club, and Tobey Castle's innings nudged him past Kevin Presneill to 22nd on the all-time run charts. A 16-run win, and thoroughly deserved — a very good day for the club.

Mon 25 Aug 2025 🧢 South African XIv Linton Park CC · Homeform—

Monday last found us on the road, Linton Park CC away in the field of somebody else's ground, under skies that couldn't decide whether to rain on our parade or simply loom disapprovingly. Warm enough, overcast enough, and the coin - for once - fell kindly. I had no hesitation in sending us in, a decision I stood by right up until the last wicket fell.

174 all out from 26.1 overs is the kind of total that sounds respectable until you say it out loud twice. Inus Joubert played the innings of the day, 44 well-constructed runs, with Nick Tromp doing sterling work alongside him for 38 - the two of them carrying rather more than their fair share of the load. Elsewhere in the order things were less romantic: Ian Bruce completed the walk of shame with a duck, and the Duck Club ledger duly welcomes its newest entry. Season-long, at least, the runs are being shared about - Thomas Beeney still tops the Chairman's XI charts on 40, while Inus's 44 keeps him out in front for the South African XI, so not everything about the summer is bleak.

174 was never quite enough, and we went down by 54 runs, chasing shadows more than the target. Not our day, and no use pretending otherwise. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets - there's a corner still to turn, and I fancy we're closer to it than the scorecard lets on.

Sun 24 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Egerton CC, Kent · AwayformWLLWW

We travelled to Egerton on a warm, grey Sunday, lost the toss for our trouble, and were put into the field first. Not that fielding first is ever a hardship for me — it just means someone else has to do the hard work of building an innings, and Jack Wellard duly did exactly that, ticking his way to a magnificent 106 not out, with Anthony Davis (36) and Julius Magno (23) lending sturdy support and a 74-run stand for the fifth wicket doing the real damage. Egerton closed on 208/5, and I'll admit we were a fraction short in our lengths all afternoon, feeding their cutting and pulling square of the wicket rather too generously. Credit where due: Alexander Nunn was excellent with 2-24, backed up by Tim Thirkell and Nolan Wilde.

With the bat we made a fine fist of it early on, Theo Clements (50) and the openers putting on 93 for the first wicket before the roof rather fell in — 121-2 became 122-5 in the blink of an eye, with three ducks blotting the card along the way. Srikrishna Challa (43) and an unbeaten 31 from Thirkell kept us respectable, but the 21st over, which cost us two wickets, proved the innings' undoing. All out for 176.

Beaten by 32 runs, then — a match that turned on a handful of overs either side of tea. We'll sharpen those lengths and come back stronger next week.

Sat 23 Aug 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Sheppey CC · AwayformLWWLL

Won the toss at Sheppey on Saturday and, with the pitch looking full of mischief, I had no hesitation sticking us in. It proved the right call, more or less by accident, as these things always do. The hosts limped to 86 all out in 36.5 overs, undone by a bowling effort that would have made a much grander club proud. Farhan Malik was magnificent, 4-22, with Richard Knowler (2-12) and Tim Thirkell (2-14, four maidens and about as generous as a parking warden) squeezing the life out of the innings. Kevin Barnes's 23 was the only score of note for the opposition, while Frankie Honeysett walked back for a duck at our hands.

Chasing 87 should have been a formality, and in the loosest sense of the word it was, though we contrived to make it look rather more dramatic than necessary, stumbling to 87/5 in the full 36.5 overs. Blair Mundell led the way with a fine 31, well supported by Daniel Baker's unbeaten 20. Reuben Mundell, less happily, added his name to the Duck Club ledger with a nought — the walk of shame, indeed.

Elsewhere, the season ticks along nicely: Richard Piper sits 5th in the 3rd XI run charts with 136, and John Karassellos leads the wicket-takers with 20. A five-wicket win, scruffy in places but thoroughly deserved. Onwards.

Sat 23 Aug 2025 🧢 2nd XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWWWW

On Saturday 23 August we welcomed The Mote CC to Linton Park under grey but forgiving skies — a shower or two threatened, but nothing that troubled the outfield. I lost the toss, which these days I've come to expect as a formality, and we were put into the field.

It proved no hardship. Alex Wade was the chief architect of the visitors' demise, 2-10 off his allocation, while Brandon Eloff bowled with the miserly discipline of a man counting every penny — 1-0 with three maidens to his name — and Matthew Carter chipped in with 1-1. Between them they reduced The Mote to rubble, sending back Manish Chanan, Colin Crampton and Deepak Sharma without so much as a run to their names. Only Parminder Singh stood firm, an unbeaten 62 that was as much a rescue act as an innings, and The Mote were bowled out for 115 in 37.2 overs.

With that target in front of us, Mardey Castle and Will Hughes made batting look thoroughly unremarkable — in the best sense — steering us home unbeaten on 46 and 45 respectively. We did lose Anthony Karassellos and Josh Gurney for ducks, proof that even a comfortable chase has room for club cricket's traditional indignities, and poor Johan Eloff had a torrid time behind the stumps, 13 byes going begging. But none of it mattered: we reached 116-3 in just 20.3 overs.

Seven wickets, two points, and home in time for tea — a thoroughly earned victory, and precisely the kind of afternoon that makes losing the toss almost bearable.

Sat 23 Aug 2025 🧢 1st XIv Borstal CC · AwayformLLWWW

Saturday took us to Borstal CC on a pleasant, damp afternoon, and having lost the toss we were invited to field first — which, in truth, suited nobody's laundry. Borstal ground their way to 170 all out in 43.2 overs, David Child compiling a fine 59 with support from Thomas Tingley (27) and Ashley Cockerton (23), the pair adding 53 for the second wicket before we dragged them back from 161-5 to 165-8. Toby Hughes was magnificent, running through them for 5-20, with Thomas Roxburgh (2-23) and Mark Christmas (2-32) doing the honest supporting work.

Chasing 171, we mustered 150 all out in 33.5 overs. Nick Catt led the way with a composed 43, Benjamin Austin chipping in with 25, and extras contributed a generous 33 — bless them. Less gloriously, Tobey Castle, Toby Hughes and Luke Welsman all took the walk of shame for ducks, and your correspondent must confess to joining them; the less said, the better. We simply dropped too short too often, gifting the square, cut and pull shots we didn't need to, and a double strike in the fortieth over put paid to any lingering hope.

Nick Catt now leads our 2025 run charts with 664, and Toby Hughes sits second in the wickets column with 24 — both keeping their end of the bargain even when the rest of us didn't. Beaten by 20 runs in the end. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 20 Aug 2025 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformWDLWL

Wednesday 20 August 2025 saw Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC roll up to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide whether to shine or spit on us, and having no better idea myself, I took one look at the coin, called correctly, and stuck us in to bat. It proved the right call. Nolan Wilde and Aaron Hughes both eased serenely to unbeaten fifties, 52 and 51 respectively, with Luke Welsman chipping in 47 and the pair at the second wicket putting on a highly agreeable 96 between them. We closed on 226/3 from our 33 overs, which had the look of a total the tea urn would approve of.

Then came the fun part. Tunbridge Wells's top order simply melted away — 0-1 became a procession, with R Harcourt, D Thompson and N-Kennell-Kemmy all trudging back without so much as a run to their names. Nolan Wilde, having already done his bit with the bat, turned his arm over to devastating effect with 5-11, well supported by Thomas Beeney (3-11, three maidens and barely a run to be had) and Jordan Austin (2-13) — the latter also quietly bringing up 100 career wickets, which is very much one for the mantelpiece. Only M Dawson, with a defiant 48, offered any real resistance as they folded for 108. Our wicketkeeper, it should be said, had rather a busy afternoon of his own, 19 byes going begging.

A win by 118 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards.

Sun 17 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Kings Hill CC · AwayformLWLLW

Sunday, 17 August, and the road took us to Kings Hill CC under skies that couldn't quite decide whether to be summer or not — grey, warm, and thoroughly English. I lost the toss, they sent us into the field, and for once that felt rather like being handed a gift.

And what a gift it turned out to be. Kings Hill were bowled out for 95 in 29.3 overs, Nick Cranmer's 30 and James Parker's 24 the only real resistance against an attack that simply wouldn't be denied. Poor Adam Smith departed without troubling the scorers, and from 72-3 the innings simply came apart at the seams — 80-6 arrived in a blur, the 25th over alone claiming two wickets from which there was no way back. Alexander Nunn was magnificent, 4-10 with four maidens to boot, miserly to the last ball, with Zach Wilde (3-10) and Nolan Wilde (2-3) mopping up the rest between them.

Chasing 96 should never be entirely comfortable in this game — cricket has a way of reminding you of that — but Theo Clements made sure we never had to sweat it, an unbeaten 46 seeing us home at 96-4 in just 14.5 overs.

A word too for the season's form men: Anthony Karassellos still leads our 2nd XI run charts with 389, and Zach Wilde continues to lurk menacingly in second on the wicket charts with 12.

A fine win by six wickets, then, and one that rather flattered my captaincy more than it deserved. Onwards we go.

Sun 17 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformLWWWW

Skipper's Log, Sunday 17 August 2025 — Town Malling CC at home, and for once the coin loved me back.

Warm and overcast, the kind of afternoon that asks to be bowled on before it asks to be batted on, so winning the toss and sticking them in required no great cricketing genius on my part. Town Malling ground their way to 168/8 off their forty, with Adam Nix the chief architect of our discomfort on 85. But this was where the lads earned their tea: Toby Hughes was superb, 3-37 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, miserly as the club treasurer, and Will Hughes (2-23) and Ian Hollingworth (1-29) tidied up the rest. A crucial-sounding 63 for their fourth wicket was the only real dent in an otherwise disciplined shift in the field.

Chasing 169, we simply did not muck about. William Roxburgh and Jordan Austin put on 132 for the first wicket before Town Malling so much as sniffed a breakthrough, Roxburgh finishing unbeaten on 76 and Austin cashing in for a well-made 63 of his own — no surprise from a man sitting atop the season's run charts with 436. Poor Tobey Castle did pick up a duck, though with the game already as good as won, it barely registered as a footnote.

Home in 22.3 overs by eight wickets. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and precisely the sort of Sunday that makes the winter months bearable.

Sat 16 Aug 2025 🧢 3rd XIv OC Orpington Ocelots CC · HomeformWLWWL

Lost the toss, asked to field, and I confess my heart sank slightly on a ground that's never been shy of runs. Still, 166 all out from 36.3 overs was a respectable riposte from the lads, built almost entirely around Theo Clements, who middled his way to a fine 66 and continues to look like a man who's read the fixture list and decided he rather likes it. Nick Tromp chipped in gamely with 20, though the scorebook carries its usual quota of club-cricket cruelty — ducks for both Nolan Wilde and Srikrishna Challa, the sort of thing that's terribly funny to everyone except the batsman concerned.

In reply, Orpington Ocelots made a horribly serene start, cruising to 116 for the first wicket before we so much as troubled them, Divya Kumar Vijay (67) and Srinivasa Mahendrakar (32) looking entirely too comfortable. But cricket, mercifully, has a habit of turning — and turn it did in the 20th over, two wickets falling in the space of six balls to give us a sniff. Richard Knowler was outstanding with 3-31, and Tim Thirkell, miserly as ever with three maidens on his way to 2-20, kept the squeeze on. They got home at 167/5, five wickets to the good.

Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets. Small consolations: Theo now sits 4th in the 3rd XI's run charts, Tim 3rd among the wicket-takers, and the tea, as ever, was blameless.

Sat 16 Aug 2025 🧢 2nd XIv SC Snodland Community CC · HomeformWWWWW

Under a grey Kentish drizzle we won the toss against Snodland Community CC on Saturday, and I had no hesitation in sticking us in — a call I spent the next forty overs quietly congratulating myself for. We stumbled to 3-1 early doors, the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the antacids, but Michael Ludick and Luke Welsman calmly stitched together a magnificent 143 for the third wicket to put the innings back on its feet. Ludick went on to an unbeaten 129, an innings of real class, while Welsman cashed in with 68. Brandon Eloff chipped in an unbeaten 31 to see us to a handsome 268/4. Jordan Austin's contribution, sadly, was a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, Jordan, chin up.

Defending 268 is the sort of task that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather more than usual, and the bowlers made sure of it. Brandon Eloff, having already done his bit with the bat, ripped through with 2-0, while Anthony Karassellos (2-18, three tidy maidens) and Matthew Carter (2-26) kept the squeeze on throughout. Adam Flynn's 22 and Lee Hewitt's 20 were the only real resistance as Snodland were bowled out for 132 in 33.3 overs, Brad Seager departing for a duck along the way.

A 136-run win, then, and a proper day out for the club. Welsman continues to top our run charts and Karassellos our wickets — form which, on this evidence, shows no sign of drying up. A very good day indeed.

Fri 15 Aug 2025 🧢 Midweek XIv The Dragons CC · HomeformWWDLW

As a Friday of good honest club cricket goes, this one had a bit of everything for us at Linton Park. I called it right at the toss – a rare enough event to note in the gazette – and with the sky doing its best impression of a wet blanket without actually delivering, I fancied runs on the board over chasing leather round the boundary. We shuffled to 132 for 7 from our 35, propped up handsomely by Thomas Beeney's unbeaten 39, and a seventh-wicket stand of 52 that did more heavy lifting than the rest of the card combined. Respectable, if not exactly a declaration of war.

Then The Dragons had their say, and had it rather well. Simon Arnold played the innings of the day with a crisp 59, Ben Griggs chipping in with a stubborn 36 to keep the scoreboard humming along nicely – rather too nicely for our liking. We did have our moments: Harry Green removed for a duck was one small mercy, and Sam Boyns led our attack manfully with 2 for 17, Martin Harris not far behind with 2 for 24, James Gray adding a wicket of his own for 10. But 133 for 5 came up in just 24.3 overs, which tells its own story about who was in a hurry.

Five wickets the margin, and fair play to them – they wanted it more on the day. Jordan Austin and Martin Harris continue to fly the flag up the season charts, which is some consolation. We'll dust ourselves down, have a pint, and come back better next week – as we always say, and mostly mean.

Tue 12 Aug 2025 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLWWDL

Following a rain-free Tuesday and a coin toss that stubbornly refused to go my way, we found ourselves at The Mote CC with willow in hand rather than leather, they having elected to bat first. No complaints from this captain, though — a bowling-first assignment on a fresh Tuesday is hardly a hardship, and the lads set about their work with proper application. The Mote laboured to 127/9 from their 37.1 overs, Craig Avery's 20 the highest contribution amid a steady procession back to the pavilion. Toby Hughes led from the front with a fine 2-19, well supported by Martin Harris (2-21) and Thomas Beeney (2-24), while Thomas Roxburgh bowled two maidens of the tightest, most parsimonious variety — the sort that makes opposing batsmen mutter to themselves.

That left a target that, on paper, looked entirely gettable, and so it proved. We knocked off the runs for the loss of a single wicket, reaching 131/1 in just 19.4 overs — a chase conducted with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. Jordan Austin was the architect throughout, sailing past his fifty and finishing unbeaten-in-spirit on 93, an innings that rather took the suspense out of proceedings early doors. He now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 205, while Thomas Beeney continues to lead the wicket-takers with 7.

A comprehensive nine-wicket victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards we go.

Sun 10 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformWLWWW

As it stands from the captain's chair, Sunday 10 August found us at home to Knockers CC under a warm, forgiving sun — the sort of afternoon that makes winning the toss feel like a minor triumph in itself. I elected to bat, and for once my instincts didn't let me down. Benjamin Austin played the innings of the day, a fluent 66 that anchored things nicely, with Thomas Beeney (48) and Jordan Austin (29) lending sturdy support and a 77-run second-wicket stand doing the heavy lifting. The tail then wagged merrily to frustrate the fielders, though we won't dwell too long on Praveen Tunga and Ian Hollingworth, both undone for ducks. 243/7 from our 40 overs felt like a defendable total, and so it proved.

With the ball, T Andrew gave us an almighty fright with a magnificent 111, ably assisted by Ali Basham's 40 and another 77-run stand for the second wicket — though a wicket at 0-1 early on suggested it wouldn't all be plain sailing for them either. Credit to the lads for sticking at it: Martin Harris was superb with 3-24, Ian Hollingworth and Tobey Castle chipped in with two apiece, and I'll allow myself a quiet smile at picking up three wickets myself. Knockers folded for 215.

A 28-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 10 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformLLWLL

On a warm, overcast Sunday at Marden CC, I won the toss and, in a fit of confidence I'd like to take credit for, stuck us in. It proved the right call. Nick Pennefather played the innings of the day, a classy 53, with Daniel Baker chipping in a handy 40 to help us to 166/9 from our 35 overs. Not everything went to plan — Theo Clements and Zach Wilde both departed without troubling the scorers, ducks that no doubt will be mentioned again at the bar.

With the ball, the lads set about defending it in earnest. Marden's Henry Mantle gave us a scare with a fine 52, well supported by Alistair Johnson's 36, and they pushed us all the way to 150/9 from their 35. But Joseph Whitby and Jack Yallop fell for ducks at our hands, and the bowling did the rest of the damage — Anthony Karassellos was magnificent, plundering 4-20, with Tim Thirkell (2-28) and John Karassellos (1-15) chipping in admirably. I did my bit with the bat too, a workmanlike 15 that I shall modestly describe as crucial.

We held on by 16 runs — a proper win, earned the hard way. With Anthony Karassellos now leading our Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Tim Thirkell topping the wickets, the season's shaping up nicely. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club, and one for the lads to enjoy on the drive home.

Sat 09 Aug 2025 🧢 4th XIv OC Orpington Ocelots CC · HomeformLWLWW

Saturday 09 August 2025, and we welcomed Orpington Ocelots CC to Linton Park with the sun out and the tea urn primed. I lost the toss — no surprises there this season — and we were asked to bowl first, which at least spared my knees an early dash between the wickets.

The Ocelots settled in nicely, posting 187/9 from their forty overs, built around a fine 92 from Divya Kumar Vijay and useful support from Kavya Vijay's 23, the pair adding 51 for the second wicket before we hauled things back. Credit to the bowlers for keeping us in it: Tim Thirkell led from the front with 3-35, Andrew Joseph chipped in with 3-50, Euan Beardwell picked up 1-19, and Farhan Malik strangled the scoring with two tidy maidens. Guruprasad Rajamanickam and Abhishek Sapra both departed for ducks, small mercies in an otherwise attritional afternoon.

Chasing 188, we never quite found our rhythm, losing an early wicket with just 5 on the board and never fully shaking off the jitters. Daniel Baker's 29 was the backbone, with Henry Campbell (25 not out) and Tim Thirkell (20 not out) steering a spirited late rally worth 64 that at least made the Ocelots sweat. Andrew Joseph's duck was the low note. Poor Theo Clements had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes slipping through, and a horror 31st over cost us two wickets and any lingering hope. We bowled a fraction short all day and paid for it square of the wicket — they cut and pulled us mercilessly, and we returned the compliment when our turn came, for all the good it did.

Rahul Parakh remains 2nd in the 4th XI run charts with 201, and Andrew Joseph 3rd among the wickets with 11 — bright spots in the season's ledger. But this one's filed under lessons learned: beaten by 46 runs, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 09 Aug 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC · AwayformWWWWW

From the captain's chair, Saturday 09 August, and a warm, grey afternoon found us away at Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC — the kind of light under which even a club cricketer can pretend he's playing a Test match. I won the toss and, in a fit of confidence I hoped I could justify, stuck us in to bat.

Justified it was. We posted 204/6 from our 40 overs, the innings anchored by a really rather fine unbeaten 66 from Mardey Castle, with Johan Eloff (30) and Brandon Eloff (29) both chipping in handsomely. A stand of 78 for the sixth wicket was the platform on which the whole total was built, and I even found time to potter to 21 myself, mostly by accident.

With the ball, things began nervously — the first wicket fell for just 5 — but Holcombe steadied through a 50-run seventh-wicket stand and Ashiq Asha Baburajan's battling 29 before subsiding to 160 all out in 34.2 overs. Kevin Shipton departed for a duck at our hands 🦆, and Anthony Karassellos was magnificent, 4 for 22 with four miserly maidens, well supported by Martin Harris (2-32) and Brandon Eloff (1-1). Eleven byes, mind you, suggest our wicketkeeper had rather a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

A fine win by 44 runs, then, and one that keeps Anthony's 20 wickets and Altus Diener's 305 runs looking rather smart atop the 2nd XI charts. Onwards, as ever, to the next one.

Sat 09 Aug 2025 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · HomeformWLLWW

It was Sibton Park at home on a warm, grey Saturday, and winning the toss I had no hesitation electing to bat — a decision that, for once, I shall take full credit for. Tobey Castle played the innings of the day, a magnificent 115, while Nick Catt's 66 gave it real substance and Toby Hughes chipped in with 20. We'd wobbled early, losing the first wicket without a run on the board, before Castle and Catt put on 163 together to drag us back into some sort of order. Then, as is our club's proud tradition, the wheels came off in a hurry — 225-4 became 236-7 before we could catch breath, with Benjamin Austin and Alex Keeler both departing for ducks. Even so, 258 all out, extras chipping in a handy 31, felt like a total worth defending.

And defend it we did. Sibton Park threatened briefly, their openers putting on 63, but once that stand broke they never recovered, subsiding to 149 all out with Ben Allon and Harry Rowe both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Toby Hughes was magnificent with the ball, 4-15, backed up by Thomas Beeney's 2-44 and Mark Christmas's solitary strike.

A personal 115 was, I confess, rather satisfying — though the team effort was what mattered. We ran out winners by 109 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one the tea urn will be talking about for weeks.

Sun 03 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv PC Pembury CC · AwayformLLLWL

The road took us to Pembury on a warm, drizzly afternoon, and when the coin came down against us I can't say I was surprised — that's the sort of season it's been. Put in to field, we set about building something defendable, and Nick Catt led the way with a well-made 56, backed up nicely by Nolan Wilde's 33 and Theo Clements' 28. We closed on 175/8 from our 36 overs — respectable, if not entirely restful. Special mention, as tradition demands, for Frank Harbord, whose nought earns him this week's walk of shame and a place in the Duck Club ledger. 🦆

Defending it, we simply couldn't find the breakthrough often enough. Alexander Nunn was pick of the attack with 1-22, while Nolan Wilde (1-27) and the ever-tidy Tim Thirkell (1-28, with 2 maidens to his name) chipped away without quite turning the tide. Pembury's Benjamin Parsons (57) and Harry Dawes (53) both brought up well-made fifties, with Stuart McCloy unbeaten on 37 seeing them home at 177/4 with over two overs to spare. I did my bit with 33, for what little comfort that offers.

Elsewhere in the ledger, Theo Clements sits second in our 2025 Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 209, and Tim Thirkell still leads the wicket-takers with 17.

Not our day, then — beaten by six wickets. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sun 03 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 3rd XIv FC Faversham CC · AwayformWWW

Here's the match report:

Sunday last had us on the road to Faversham, the skies doing that classic English trick of sunshine and showers in the same breath — the kind of day that makes you check the covers twice before deciding whether to bat. Win the toss, bat first, I said, and for once nobody argued with me. Brandon Eloff played the innings of the day, a composed 53 not out that gave the whole side something to build around, with Johan Eloff (37) and Blair Mundell (22) chipping in nicely. Alex Wade and Sam King will want their ducks back, mind, but 186/8 from our 40 overs was a total we could defend with a straight bat and a clear conscience.

And defend it we did. Faversham never quite got away from us, Alfie Marsh's 39 the closest thing to a rally, with Thomas Bullock unbeaten on 26 lending support. Connor Forber departed without so much as a nibble. The real story, though, was Reuben Mundell running through the order with a superb 3-15, backed up by Alex Wade (1-5, two miserly maidens) and Daniel Baker (1-7) — bowling of the sort that makes captaincy easy. Eight byes did rather give the game away for Anthony Karassellos behind the stumps, though he'll take some consolation from leading our Sunday run charts.

A 51-run win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying drive home.

Sun 03 Aug 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Cowdrey CC · HomeformLWWWW

Cricket, as any Linton Park skipper will tell you, is a game of small mercies — and Sunday's small mercy was that the showers held off just long enough. Losing the toss and being asked to field second on a warm, damp afternoon is nobody's idea of luck, but the girls simply got on with it, and by the close I was rather glad we'd had the chance to bat first after all.

We posted a very handsome 158 for 3 off our twenty overs, built on the kind of calm, unhurried batting that makes a captain's job easy. Laura Thorogood led from the front with an unbeaten 33, while Hannah Odling and Rachel Rawson both chipped in with 30 not out apiece — the sort of top-order solidity you dream about and rarely get. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 27.

Defending that total, Cowdrey CC never got close to troubling us. Laura Boorman was despatched for a golden duck early on, and from there the innings simply unravelled — 48 all out in just 12 overs. Michaela Karassellos was outstanding with the ball, taking 3 for 16, with Abi Thirkell (2-7) and Laura Holdstock (2-11) mopping up in support.

A win by 110 runs, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — one for the scrapbook, and one I shall be dining out on at the clubhouse bar for some weeks to come.

Sun 03 Aug 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv HC Harbledown CC · AwayformLWLWW

Well now, brace yourselves — a proper thumping delivered on the road at Harbledown, and I'll admit I rather enjoyed my afternoon in the field for once.

Winning the toss on Sunday, I did the fashionable thing and stuck them in. It came up trumps rather beautifully. Thomas Roxburgh was in imperious form, scything through the top order for 4-20 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of spell that makes a captain look far cleverer than he is — while Will Hughes (3-44) and Thomas Beeney (2-13) mopped up round him. Jack Dunning and Gavin Dixon departed for ducks, and only Sudesh Thakur, with a defiant 30, gave Harbledown's total any shape at all. All out for 82 in 20.2 overs — a score that never looked like troubling us.

Chasing it down should have been a formality, and mostly was, save for the small matter of losing our first wicket for nought — Toby Joseph making the long walk back without so much as a single to his name, poor lad. From there Luke Welsman played the anchor beautifully, 39 not out and unbeaten at the close, with Mardey Castle (24 not out) and William Roxburgh (21) offering fine support. We cantered home on 85/3 in 20.3 overs.

A seven-wicket win, bowlers to the fore and the top order doing just enough — you can't ask for much fairer than that. Onwards indeed.

Sat 02 Aug 2025 🧢 4th XIv Egerton CC, Kent · AwayformWLWLW

Toby Joseph, 118 not out and eight for old rope. From the captain's chair, Saturday 2nd August, we rolled up to Egerton CC under a sky doing its level best to threaten rain without ever committing – classic club cricket weather, in other words. I called correctly at the toss, which is roughly as often as I remember to bring spare bails, and had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat.

What followed was, frankly, a treat. Toby Joseph batted like a man who'd read the script and decided to improve on it, carrying his bat all the way to three figures – 118 not out, unbeaten and unbothered – while Daniel Baker chipped in handsomely with 59. We closed on a formidable 222/4 from our forty, and I allowed myself a quiet smile behind the pavilion tea urn.

Defending it was another matter entirely. John Harrison and company gave us a proper fright, with a brisk 117-run opening stand setting Egerton up nicely, and Harrison's own 69 doing much of the damage. My afternoon with the gloves was a chastening one – fourteen byes is not a number I'll be framing – and a horror 31st over threatened to hand the match away. But Andrew Joseph (4-31) and Brandon Eloff (3-36) kept nerve and line, three ducks fell to us, and we scrambled home by eight runs.

A fine win, on reflection rather more nerve-shredding than it needed to be. Onwards.

Sat 02 Aug 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Bredgar CC · HomeformWWLWW

Not our day, but here's the report — good luck with the gazette.

Winning the toss on Saturday and putting Bredgar in felt like the right call at the time, and for a good while it looked it. We ran through their top order sharpish — Isaac Pellatt and Oliver Knight both back in the hutch without so much as a nibble — but Jonathan Knight had other ideas, compiling a fine 67 while Alex Knight (39) and an unbeaten 29 from Archie Burden dragged the visitors up to a stiffer-than-hoped 221/7 from their forty overs. John Karassellos was superb, 3-23 and metronomic, with Henry Campbell and Praveen Tunga chipping in a wicket apiece, and Sam King bowling two tidy maidens to keep the lid on things.

Chasing 222 was always going to want application, and we simply didn't find enough of it. Praveen Tunga batted beautifully for an unbeaten 53, the lone real resistance, while poor Richard Piper's golden duck rather summed up our afternoon. Thirty-four extras was, frankly, a damning contribution from the bowlers on the other side, and 147 all out in 35.2 overs told its own story. I did manage three wickets myself with the ball to at least salvage some personal pride from the wreckage.

Elsewhere there's cheer to be had — Nolan Wilde sits fourth in the 3rd XI run charts on 129 for the season, and John Karassellos tops the wicket pile with 19. But today belonged to Bredgar, 74 runs the margin. Heads up, chins forward, back to the nets we go.

Sat 02 Aug 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Dartford CC · AwayformLWWWW

Saturday last took us down to Dartford, and losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field-first lottery – except it was them fielding, and us finding out the hard way what 39.3 overs of application looks like. Altus Diener played the innings of the day, 59 crafted with real application, while Will Hughes (28 not out) and Anthony Karassellos (26) chipped in handsomely. We rattled along nicely until the last knockings, 188 for 7 becoming 201 all out in a flurry that suggested the tail had rather better things to do that afternoon. Special mention to Ian Hollingworth, who contributed his now-traditional golden duck – ever reliable in his unreliability with the bat.

Two hundred and one looked a defendable total, and so it proved. Dartford's reply was, frankly, a procession the wrong way for them: 8 on the board and already a wicket down, then 49 for 4 collapsing to 55 for 7 as the innings simply came apart at the seams. Amol Kulthe, Ben Humm and Daksh Mishra all departed without scoring – only Lee Gray, with 22, showed any real resistance – and Dartford were bowled out for 59 in 17.1 overs. Ian Hollingworth was magnificent with the ball, 4 for 2, with Will Hughes (3 for 3) and the ever-miserly Anthony Karassellos (3 for 28, two maidens) squeezing the life out of any hope of a recovery.

A 142-run win, and with Diener and Karassellos still leading the 2nd XI's runs and wickets charts respectively, this was every bit the good day the scoreboard suggests.

Sat 02 Aug 2025 🧢 1st XIv BC Bapchild CC · HomeformWWLLW

Saturday the 2nd of August found us hosting Bapchild CC under a kindly cloud cover — the sort of afternoon that asks nothing more of a man than a jumper he probably won't need. I lost the toss, was invited to field first, and tried not to let my face betray my private view that batting looked rather nicer.

We were soon in bother at 6-1, but the middle order steadied the ship handsomely. Tobey Castle led the charge with 46, Toby Hughes chipped in with 34 and Thomas Roxburgh saw us home unbeaten on 33, the third-wicket stand of 51 the innings' backbone. I contributed a tidy 46 myself, and we closed on a defendable 195/7 from our 45.

With ball in hand we were rather too generous — 21 wides and a no-ball is not the sort of hospitality one wishes to extend to the opposition — but the bowling more than made amends. Matthew Carter was superb, 4-29, with Hughes (3-25) and Roxburgh (3-26) doing a fine double shift with bat and ball alike, and Alex Keeler's three maidens choked the life out of any Bapchild momentum. James Weller's 31, backed by Ricky Dale and Tom Carey, kept them interested, but they folded for 156.

A pleasing footnote: Tobey's 46 nudges him past Stan Wratten into 23rd on the club's all-time run list. A 39-run win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying Saturday.

Sun 27 Jul 2025 🧢 Sunday 3rd XIv Kings Hill CC · AwayformWW

Sunday took us down to Kings Hill, under skies that couldn't decide whether to rain on our parade or just threaten to, and I won the toss and stuck us in the field — a decision I'm delighted to say vindicated itself handsomely by the close.

The lads bowled beautifully. Divan Tromp was the pick of a fine attack, snaring 3-16, with brother Nick Tromp weighing in at 2-11 and Farhan Malik chipping away for 2-27. Kings Hill managed 157 all out from 38.2 overs, built mainly around Adam Lowing's 38, with Graham Hutchins (29) and Matthew Blewett (25) offering support. A perfectly gettable target, we felt, provided nobody did anything silly.

Nobody did anything silly. Charlie Barnard and Connor Smith both departed without troubling the scorers, but it scarcely mattered — Anthony Karassellos simply took the game away from Kings Hill with a magnificent unbeaten century, 102 not out, calmly shepherded along by Aaron Hughes's unbeaten 29. We raced to 159/1 in just 20.2 overs, a chase so brisk I barely had time to finish my tea.

Karassellos now sits proudly atop the 2025 Sunday 3rd XI run charts, and Malik leads the wickets column — form the club will be hoping continues. Nine wickets to spare, and a thoroughly good day out. Kings Hill were gracious in defeat; we, I confess, were insufferable in victory. As it should be.

Sun 27 Jul 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLLWLW

I lost the toss again — no surprise there, my luck with a coin has always been the wrong sort of consistent — and Bearsted asked us to bowl first on a Sunday that started, as these things do, with quiet dread. That dread proved justified early doors: 89 without loss and I was beginning to compose my excuses. But cricket has a habit of rewarding patience over panic, and once Nick Catt got his hand on the ball nothing was safe — 89-1 became 98-4 in a blur, and Christian Roberts, Zachary Ludwin and Freddie Salter all walked back without troubling the scorer. Catt finished with a magnificent 4-8, well backed by Thomas Beeney (3-25), Joel Attwood, and Will Hughes, who bowled two maidens as tight as his trouser turn-ups. Alex Lush's unbeaten 55, with John Haggart and Angus Kenny chipping in, got them to 169/9 — competitive, but not comfortable.

Chasing it, we made a proper meal of it before making a proper fist of it. Catt, having done the damage with ball in hand, then set about the runs with an unbeaten 57, ably supported by Will Thew's 33 and Thomas Roxburgh's 26 not out, their sixth-wicket stand of 61 the spine of the innings. Benjamin Austin's golden duck raised a wry smile from the boundary rope, and I contributed a watchful 26 of my own before a defiant last-wicket flourish of 54 saw us home, 172/6 in 27.3 overs.

Four wickets and two points, thoroughly deserved after a morning that threatened to run away from us. A tidy afternoon's work, and one I'll happily take the credit for while quietly thanking the bowlers who made it possible.

Sun 27 Jul 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Capel CC, Kent · AwayformWLLLW

Sunday 27 July, and off we trundled down to Capel CC on a warm, overcast afternoon that felt made for cricket, if not necessarily for winning. I won the toss and put them in — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might later suggest.

Capel made hay to the tune of 191 for 7 from their 35 overs, with Robert Taylor the chief architect on 56 not out, well supported by Aaron Irvine's 38 and Thomas Stronell's 25. Poor Daniel Stronell departed without so much as troubling the scorers 🦆. In the field we had our moments — Tim Thirkell was superb, 2 for 14 with three miserly maidens thrown in, while Alexander Daniels (2-36) and James Gray (1-19) chipped in gamely. Not quite enough to stem the tide, but honest toil throughout.

Chasing 192, we mustered 143 for 9, never quite finding the rhythm the target demanded. Theo Clements led the resistance with a fine 32 — and in doing so, brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result. Alexander Daniels endured a golden duck 🦆, extras were our second-top scorer with 32, and your captain contributed a modest 17. Theo now sits second in the 2nd XI run charts, with Tim top of the wicket-takers on 16.

Beaten by 48 runs in the end. Character-building stuff — we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 26 Jul 2025 🧢 3rd XIv BC Bapchild CC · AwayformLWWLW

Saturday 26th July saw us make the trip to Bapchild on a warm, drizzly afternoon that felt more like a rumour of summer than the real thing. Winning the toss, I did what any captain with a straight face and a nervous disposition does under grey skies — stuck them in. Bapchild ground their way to 161/7 from their 40 overs, with Kevin Miles the chief architect on 48, well supported by Lincoln Bryden's 33 and an unbeaten 24 from Craig Hunt. John Karassellos was magnificent with the ball, 4-40 and full of menace, backed up nicely by Abi Thirkell (2-40) and Nolan Wilde (1-13). I even managed to muck in with four wickets myself, though I shan't dwell on how that happened. Henry Louden and Ella Hadler both departed without troubling the scorers — quackers, the pair of them.

Chasing 162, we barely broke sweat. Richard Piper played the innings of the season, 78 not out and, more importantly, the innings that brought up 20,000 career runs for the club — a thoroughly deserved landmark from a thoroughly reliable man. Glen Rawson chipped in handsomely with 57, and together they saw us home at 163/1 with overs to spare. Poor Laura Thorogood had a torrid time behind the stumps, eight byes squeezing through in the drizzle, but nobody was counting by the close.

Two points, nine wickets, and a very happy coach journey home. A day when everything — bar the weather and the wicketkeeping — went entirely our way.

Sat 26 Jul 2025 🧢 1st XIv Addington Village CC · AwayformLWWLL

Saturday 26th July found us on the road at Addington Village CC, and after losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, I confess my heart sank rather further than the coin did.

With the bat, 7 for 1 was not the platform I'd dreamed of on the drive over, but Nick Catt and Toby Hughes steadied the ship with a fine second-wicket stand of 67, Catt going on to a well-crafted 74 and Hughes chipping in with 48 of his own. As is traditional in these parts, the middle and lower order then conspired to turn a healthy total into a nervy one, tumbling from 172-5 to 182-8 in a positive hurry, and poor Tom Campbell will be pleased to see his golden duck reduced to a footnote rather than the headline. All out for 183 in 44.2 overs — respectable, if achieved by the scenic route.

Defending it, the game turned on the 5th over, two wickets falling in a blink from which Addington never truly recovered. Thomas Beeney was magnificent with 4-27, backed superbly by Mark Christmas (2-16) and Toby Hughes, whose miserly 2-29 included five maidens — not a run given away lightly. Jack Sopp's unbeaten 28, including a magnificent slog for six backward of square, gave their innings some late respectability, but 140 all out left us 43 runs to the good.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and my own contribution of 17 with the bat I shall claim was crucial rather than incidental. A fine team effort, and one for the scrapbook.

Sat 19 Jul 2025 🧢 4th XIv Lordswood CC · AwayformWWLWL

Saturday 19 July 2025 saw us on the road to Lordswood CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat first — a decision I was rather pleased with myself for, at least until the wides started flowing later on.

With willow in hand we posted a tidy 155/4 from our thirty overs, built around a fine 71-run stand for the second wicket. Glen Rawson led the way with 42, well supported by Daniel Baker's 29 and Rahul Parakh's 26, while the extras column weighed in with a generous 31 of its own — the sort of contribution no captain likes to admit gratitude for, but there we are. I chipped in with 15, more application than artistry.

In the field we were, if I'm honest, rather generous hosts — 20 wides and 4 no-balls is not a tally I shall be framing for the clubhouse wall. But the bowling redeemed us handsomely. Neill Pennefather was magnificent, 3-8 with two maidens, ably backed by Mohamed Safeer Ibra Lebbe (2-18) and Rahul Parakh (2-23), and between them they had Lordswood shot out for 138 in 28.4 overs, Finn Read (27) and Ryan Denham (20) the only real resistance.

We got over the line by 17 runs — sloppy at times, but a good day for the club, and Rahul Parakh's all-round contribution keeps him handily placed 4th in the 4th XI run charts. I'll take that, wides and all.

Wed 16 Jul 2025 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformLLWWD

Skipper's log, Wednesday 16 July: a warm, cloudy afternoon as we welcomed the opposition and took the field first, sending them in to bat. It proved the right call in the end, their innings folding for 139 all out in 31.1 overs. Thomas Beeney's 35 and Benjamin Austin's 27, with a further 26 from Beeney, gave them some substance, but Beeney more than made up for it with the ball, snaring a superb 2-4, well supported by Will Hughes (2-19) and John Karassellos (2-44).

Chasing 140, we stumbled and steadied in roughly equal measure, eventually reaching 143/7 from 34.5 overs. Thomas Roxburgh anchored the innings beautifully, eased to 59 not out — yes, your correspondent's bat did the talking for once, and rarely has a fifty felt more hard-won. Poor Henry Campbell will want to forget his duck, but a defiant last-wicket stand of 37 runs dragged the total up to something respectable.

In the end it wasn't quite enough — beaten by 3 wickets — though not for want of trying. Up in the season's charts, Jordan Austin continues to lead the run-scoring on 112, while Thomas Beeney sits proudly atop the wicket column with 5. A losing afternoon, then, but an honest one, and we'll be back next week determined to turn narrow defeats into narrow victories.

Sun 13 Jul 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Capel CC, Kent · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 13th, and we welcomed Capel CC down to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide between scorching and overcast — the sort of muggy afternoon that makes you sweat just tossing the coin. Which, incidentally, I lost. Capel put us in, and for once that felt like a compliment rather than an insult.

The girls set about repairing my bruised ego with the bat, racing to 63/2 from our 8 overs — brisk, positive stuff that gave us something to bowl at. Defending it, though, we made life rather harder for ourselves than necessary, spraying 18 wides and 4 no-balls around the ground like confetti at a wedding nobody asked for. Free runs we simply couldn't afford to be handing Capel on a plate.

Fortunately, the bowling more than papered over the cracks. Rachel Rawson was magnificent, ripping through with 3-3, while Laura Holdstock chipped in with 3-4 to leave Capel toiling to 45/6 from their 8 overs. Between the two of them, our wayward lines in the field were quietly forgiven.

A word too for the season's form book: Laura Boorman continues to lead the 2025 Women's Softball run charts with 176 to her name, and Laura Holdstock now tops the wicket pile with 12 — this performance only adding to that tally.

We got home by 38 runs in the end. Sloppy in parts, but a good day for the club all the same — the sort of win you'll happily take and worry about the wides another day.

Sun 13 Jul 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv RC Rolvenden CC · HomeformLLLWL

As nervy chases go, this one had all the makings of a classic Sunday tussle before we simply took the bat to it.

Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first on a Sunday is never the news you want, but the lads knuckled down and made it work. Rolvenden batted with real application, Omar Ahmed's 65 the innings' backbone, with Omar Zaman's assured 57 and Faisal Zaman's unbeaten 32 stretching them to 207 all out in the 39th over. But it was Alexander Daniels who stole the afternoon with the ball — five wickets for 39 runs, a thoroughly deserved five-for, backed up nicely by Thomas Roxburgh and Nick Catt with a wicket apiece. Three of their number went for ducks at our hands, which always raises a cheer from the boundary rope.

Chasing 208 looked a stiff enough task on paper, but Benjamin Austin had other ideas, cracking a magnificent unbeaten century to see us home in some style, with Will Thew's composed fifty alongside him. Their second-wicket stand of 102 took the game away from Rolvenden, and we cantered to 210/2 with overs to spare. Austin continues his golden season, now top of the Sunday run charts with 356, while Thomas Beeney leads the wickets column with 14 — the sort of form that wins matches on its own.

An eight-wicket win, two points banked, and a proper afternoon's cricket. We'll take that every Sunday going.

Sun 13 Jul 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv EC East Sutton CC · AwayformWWLLL

Sunday 13 July found us on the road to East Sutton CC, under skies that couldn't decide between scorching and overcast — much like my own mood after losing the toss yet again. They chose to bat, and 160 for 9 off their forty overs felt like a proper score to chase, built on Darren Thompson's watchful 49, with Ben Tragett (32) and Rob Yardy (26) filling in nicely around him. Credit where due: Spencer Gray was the chief tormentor with 2 for 13, Euan Beardwell and John Karassellos chipped in either side of him, and Tim Thirkell simply refused to be scored off, sending down three maidens on his way to a rather special milestone — 700 career wickets, a number that deserves more than a passing mention in these pages.

Chasing 161, we wobbled our way to 8 down before getting there in 32 overs, which is really just our way of keeping things interesting. Johan Eloff's 33 was the innings' spine, with Euan Beardwell (30) and Anthony Karassellos (25) doing the honours either side of him — Karassellos meanwhile continuing his quiet march to the top of the season's run charts with 352 to his name, just as Thirkell now sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 14.

A two-wicket win, then, earned the hard way and enjoyed the easy way. Onwards.

Sat 12 Jul 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Dartford CC · AwayformWLWWL

Skipper's log, Dartford CC, 12 July. A warm, overcast afternoon greeted us on the road to Dartford — the sort of day that makes you glad you packed a jumper and left the sun cream at home. I lost the toss, they chose to bat, and off we trudged into the field.

Dartford lost an early wicket for nought, which had us purring, but Shaun Parker (62 not out) and Chris Pathmarajah (36) stitched together a stubborn 74 for the seventh wicket and dragged them to 169/7 from their 40. Henry Campbell was the pick of the attack — 2-21 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, tight as you like — with Srikrishna Challa (2-33) and Euan Beardwell (1-11) chipping in. Poor Ruthvik Kajuluri copped the golden duck.

With the bat, Aaron Hughes (35), Srikrishna Challa (34) and Theo Clements (26) did the heavy lifting as we ground our way to 170/7 in 39.2 overs. Their bowlers dropped it short all afternoon and we happily rocked back to cut and pull square of the wicket — C Liebenberg's clout over mid-on for six was the shot of the day. As for my own contribution, a golden duck at the top — the least said, the soonest mended.

A three-wicket win, then, snatched rather than strolled to, and Henry Campbell now sits proudly atop the 3rd XI's wicket charts with 14. Onwards.

Sat 12 Jul 2025 🧢 2nd XIv HC Holborough Anchorians CC · HomeformDLWWW

Saturday 12th July, and a fine warm one it was — overcast enough to keep the sunburn off the back of my neck, which is about as much as I ask of English weather. Holborough Anchorians were the visitors, I won the toss, and elected to bat. I'd like to say this was born of deep tactical insight; really I just fancied not standing in the field first. Either way, the right call, I felt.

We posted 199/9 from our 40 overs, a total built rather than blazed — Nick Tromp's 43 the backbone, Brandon Eloff's 37 and Will Hughes's 25 adding the necessary meat. Nothing spectacular, but enough runs on the board to make the Anchorians think.

And think they had to, because when we came out to defend it, Altus Diener decided the day belonged to him — 5-20, a five-for as tidy as you'll see on a club pitch, and richly deserved. Brandon Eloff, evidently not content with his runs, chipped in 2-22, Michael Ludick took one, and somewhere in the middle of it all poor Sajid Masood was gone without troubling the scorers. Mahmood Khanwaziri fought the good fight with a fine 61, but it was a lone hand, and the Anchorians folded for 165 in 37.3 overs.

Thirty-four runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned all round. A proper team effort, and a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday.

Sat 12 Jul 2025 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformLLWWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 12 July 2025, and we headed down to Mersham Sports CC for a proper afternoon of cricket, the sky doing its best village-green grey but nothing to keep us off the field.

I called correctly at the toss, which these days feels like half the battle won, and had no hesitation in choosing to bat. It didn't start well — 5-1 inside the first exchanges is the sort of thing that has a captain reaching for the tea urn early — but Nick Catt steadied things beautifully with a fine 81, well supported by Thomas Roxburgh's 28 and Alex Keeler's 24. The seventh-wicket stand of 63 was the innings' spine, and we limped, then strolled, to 167 all out from 39.5 overs. Tobey Castle and Thomas Beeney will not thank me for mentioning their ducks, but a gazette must tell the truth.

With the ball, Mersham simply had the better of us. David Harman's unbeaten 89 and Kyle McAlister's unbeaten 60 saw them home at a canter — 171 without loss in just 31.4 overs, our 40th over a particularly grim passage that cost two wickets and what little momentum we had left. As for my own contribution, a duck of my own — the least said, the better.

Beaten by ten wickets, then, and no dressing that up. Nick Catt continues to lead our 2025 run charts with 452, a rare bright spot on a chastening day. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Fri 11 Jul 2025 🧢 Twenty20v CK Castle Hill CC, Kent · HomeformWWWLW

Under a sky that had clearly checked the fixtures list, we welcomed Castle Hill CC of Kent for a proper scorcher on Friday 11 July, and I duly lost the toss, which meant the lads were in the field before anyone had finished their first cup of tea. Chasing didn't faze us, but bowling first in that heat is a young man's game, and to their credit the boys stuck to it manfully.

Castle Hill posted a brisk 142/7, with Rory Donald the chief architect of our discomfort on 49, well supported by Ben Mondy's 28. Happily Tom Campbell was in no mood to be generous, snaring 2-10, with Tobey Castle (2-19) and Nick Tromp (1-10) chipping away at the other end. Tobey's day had its wrinkles, mind — eight byes behind the stumps told its own quiet story, and I suspect he'll be seeing a few of those in his sleep.

With the bat, though, Nick Tromp was a man transformed, striding to 79 not out and dragging us home almost single-handedly, ably assisted by Johan Eloff's unbeaten 31. We reached 146/5 with overs to spare and the crowd, such as it was, thoroughly satisfied. Tromp now leads our 2025 Twenty20 run charts with 81, and Campbell tops the wicket pile with 3 — form both men will be keen to keep.

A five-wicket win, earned in fearsome heat against a decent Kent side. Take the win, forgive the byes, and put the kettle on — a very good day for the club.

Sun 06 Jul 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Borstal CC · AwayformLLLLW

Skipper's Log, Sunday 06 July 2025 — a warm, sticky afternoon on the road at Borstal CC, and true to form the coin let us down before a ball had been bowled. They chose to bat, and we trudged into the field wondering what the pitch, and the weather, had in store.

Borstal made hay, posting a stiff 214/7 from their forty overs. Haroon Khan was the chief architect with a well-made 60, given fine support by Dylan Solano Nathan (38) and Charlie-George Eldridge (32). To our credit, the bowling never gave up the fight — Mark Christmas was superb with 3-31, backed up admirably by Thomas Beeney (1-33) and Ian Lowe (1-34).

Chasing 215, we never quite got out of the blocks, closing on 58/5 from our 24 overs. Tobey Castle top-scored with a plucky 20, though the less said about Jordan Austin's golden duck the better — these things happen to the best of us, and no doubt he'll dine out on the story eventually, if not today.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Ian Lowe brought up his 50th career wicket, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded by all. Elsewhere in the season's charts, Luke Welsman continues to purr along in third with 153 runs, and Thomas Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers with 13.

Beaten by 69 runs in the end, no arguing with that scoreline. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word about our batting resolve, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 05 Jul 2025 🧢 4th XIv NC New Ash Green CC · AwayformWWWLW

Beaten but not bowed at New Ash Green on a warm, damp Saturday — I called it right at the toss and stuck us in, which felt like inspiration at the time. It looked shrewder still when Robin Wills and Edward Quantrill went early without troubling the scorers, but Ryan Harley had other ideas, ground us down and eventually cantered to 78 before New Ash Green were finally shifted out for 157 off 35.1 overs. Josh Gurney was the pick of the attack all afternoon — 2-12 with three tight maidens thrown in for good measure — well supported by James Gray (2-26) and Thomas Mundell (1-11), so credit where it's due: we bowled and fielded like a side that meant business.

Chasing 158, we never quite found our rhythm. Srikrishna Challa's 34 was the one substantial contribution, and honestly our extras column of 25 gave him a fair run for his money — 17 of those were byes, which tells you all you need to know about Daniel Baker's afternoon behind the stumps. We were bowled out for 122 in 36.2 overs, 35 runs short in the end.

Blair Mundell continues to lead our 4th XI run charts with 201 for the season, and Srikrishna Challa tops the wicket pile with 12 — proof there's genuine quality in this dressing room, even when the scoreboard doesn't cooperate. All told, a match where the ball did us proud and the bat let us down. We'll regroup, dry out, and be better for it next week.

Sat 05 Jul 2025 🧢 3rd XIv MC Minster (Sheppey) CC · HomeformWWLWW

Saturday 05 July 2025, and Minster (Sheppey) CC rolled in as our guests. Lost the toss, put in to bat — never the ideal start, and so it proved as we laboured to 126 all out in 36.3 overs. Aaron Hughes top-scored with a tidy 33, Glen Rawson chipped in a useful 21, but the middle order rather fell on its sword — Will Hughes, Henry Campbell and Praveen Tunga all departed for golden ducks, which is not a hat-trick anyone wants their name attached to.

Defending 126 always felt a stretch, and so it proved, though not without a fight. John Karassellos was outstanding with the ball, 4-23, and I managed to find some rhythm myself with four wickets — Will Hughes and Henry Campbell chipped in one apiece, while Sam Manser and Tyler Vollans both bagged ducks of their own at our hands, for what little comfort that offered. But Ryan Bruce had other ideas, cracking a fine 62 to see Minster home, well supported by Ross Nixon's 22, as they reached 127/6 in 34.5 overs.

Beaten by four wickets, then, and no arguing with the scoreboard. Henry Campbell continues to lead our 3rd XI wicket charts with 12 for the season, which is at least one thing going swimmingly. As for the rest of us — tea was good, the sun held, and we'll be considerably better for this next week.

Sat 05 Jul 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Upchurch CC · AwayformLDLWW

We were put in first at Upchurch, and Lewis Ball made sure they had something to bowl at, a chanceless-looking 64 that anchored the innings while Kieran Tyler's 35 kept the scoreboard honest at the other end. Credit to the lads, though: 124-5 could easily have become something alarming, but we squeezed them back to 137-8 and eventually 164-8 from their forty overs felt like a total we could chase. James Howard's duck for them at least reminded us the wicket had something in it. Alex Wade was the pick with 3-31, well backed by Brandon Eloff and Altus Diener with two apiece — the sort of shared bowling effort that wins matches without anyone needing to be a hero.

Chasing 165, we wobbled early at 8-1 and I confess I feared the worst, but Altus Diener, fresh from his bowling exertions, settled things with a fine 61, and a second-wicket stand of 74 with Luke Welsman did the heavy lifting. Welsman finished unbeaten on 33, calm as you like. Johan Eloff's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise tidy card, and I contributed a workmanlike 19 that felt more useful than it probably was.

It came down to the 33rd over, two wickets the difference between glory and gloom, and we found ourselves five wickets to the good at the finish. Luke Welsman continues to top the run charts and Alex Wade the wickets — no surprises there on this evidence. A thoroughly good day out, and one we'll happily take the long drive home smiling about.

Sat 05 Jul 2025 🧢 1st XIv Upchurch CC · HomeformLLLWW

Saturday 5th July, and we welcomed Upchurch CC to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide between sunshine and sulk — warm, damp and blustery all at once, which about summed up our afternoon. Lost the toss, too, so no complaints when they chose to bat first; we simply had to make the best of it.

Make the best of it we very nearly did. A wicket at 1-1 got us dreaming of an early rout, but Upchurch steadied and pushed on to 202 all out from their 42 overs, Daniel Mason (40), Daniel Parker (33) and Max Colley (29) doing the damage. Credit where it's due: Thomas Beeney bowled beautifully for 3-31, with Alex Keeler and Toby Hughes chipping in two apiece, and Tom Campbell tying things down with two maidens. A fair effort in the field, all told.

With the bat, though, we never quite got going. Mark Christmas battled to 34 not out and Benjamin Austin added a fighting 33, but wickets tumbled around them and we folded for 152 in 36.3 overs — extras top-scoring almost, with 25 generously donated. Poor Alex Keeler had the misery of a golden duck to add insult to injury.

Nick Catt continues to lead our run charts this season with 371, and Tom Campbell tops the wickets with 22 — small consolations on a chastening day. Beaten by 50 runs in the end. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets we go.

Wed 02 Jul 2025 🧢 Midweek XIv Warlingham CC · HomeformLLLWW

Warlingham CC came to Linton Park on a warm, wet Wednesday, we lost the toss, got sent out into the field, and had to make our peace with it before a ball was bowled.

With the bat we found our feet in fits and starts before Toby Joseph and John Karassellos put together the innings' backbone, an 87-run stand for the fifth wicket that dragged us to a defendable 192/8 from 38.1 overs. Toby went on to a fine 71, John chipped in 45, Will Thew added a tidy 21, and somewhere in the middle of it all poor Jordan Austin made the long walk back for a duck — the ledger doesn't lie.

In the field we scrapped hard. Warlingham were pegged back to 142/6 from their 44, Akil Gohar unbeaten on 28 the chief nuisance, with Nigel Field and John Morris lending a hand. Will Thew was the pick of the attack with 2-15, backed superbly by Thomas Beeney's 2-17 (three maidens — not a run given away lightly) and Martin Harris's 1-14. Imran Bashir joined Jordan in the duck club. Fifteen byes, mind, made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for Aaron Hughes.

Amid it all, two proud milestones: Toby Joseph brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, and Will Thew reached 50 career wickets — the sort of landmarks that make soggy Wednesdays worthwhile. In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but one with rather more to celebrate than the scoreline suggests.

Sun 29 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformWWWLL

Sunday 29 June saw us make the trip down to Marden CC, Kent, under skies that couldn't decide whether to bake us or bin us — scorching yet overcast, the sort of afternoon that saps a fielder's legs by tea. We lost the toss, were duly asked to bowl first at ourselves by the cricketing gods, and set about batting.

Anthony Karassellos was the innings' backbone, a fine 53 anchoring us, well supported by Theo Clements (35) and Glen Rawson (29), the pair adding a stout 73 for the second wicket. But as ever at Linton Park, the tail had other ideas — 158 for 6 became 164 for 9 in the sort of collapse that gives a skipper palpitations, John Karassellos, Alexander Nunn and Ian Lowe all departing for golden ducks. All out 164 from 33.4 overs.

In the field, Marden's William Bacon (51) and Freddie Mundell (33) put on 51 for the first wicket and looked ominous, reaching 123 for 3 before we squeezed — a double strike in the 19th over did the damage, and James Scade went for a duck. Anthony Karassellos, having done his bit with the bat, did it again with the ball, 3 for 27, backed by John Karassellos (1-14) and Harvey Lowe (1-16). Still, they got home at 168 for 7.

As for your captain — a golden blob, leading from the front in all the wrong ways. Not our day; down by three wickets. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sun 29 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Chestfield CC · HomeformWLLLL

On a scorching afternoon that promised more grey than gold, we welcomed Chestfield CC to Linton Park, and for once the coin gods deserted us entirely - Chestfield won the toss and, unsurprisingly, fancied batting first. What followed was a proper team bowling effort: Martin Harris was the pick with 2-11, Thomas Beeney chipped in with 2-20, and young Toby Hughes bowled with a miser's discipline - four maidens and 1-18 to show for it. Fin Wratten's 37 gave the visitors' innings its backbone, with Pearson Hulks (33) and Callum Drake (26) offering support, but 152/6 from their 40 overs always felt a target within reach on a good surface.

And reach it we did, in some style. The Austin brothers put on a masterclass, Jordan and Benjamin striding out to open and simply refusing to be parted, carting 104 runs together before the first wicket finally fell. Jordan went on to finish unbeaten on 60, Benjamin falling agonisingly short of the milestone on 50, and the target was wrapped up with overs to spare in a canter to 156/3.

A word for the season so far - Jordan Austin now leads our Sunday 1st XI run charts with 316, and Martin Harris tops the wicket pile with 14. Long may it continue.

Seven wickets to the good, and home in time for tea. A cracking all-round performance, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 28 Jun 2025 🧢 4th XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · HomeformWWWWL

Saturday 28 June 2025, Hunton Wanderers CC the visitors, and the sun (for once) doing its bit. I lost the toss, they put us in, and for a few overs I feared the worst as we shipped an early wicket with just 6 on the board – the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the flask rather than the scorebook. But cricket, glorious cricket, had other ideas.

Euan Beardwell decided this was to be his afternoon and simply refused to get out, compiling a magnificent 103 not out, while Srikrishna Challa played the perfect foil with a fine 53. Together they put on 119 for the sixth wicket, the kind of partnership that turns a wobble into a total, and with 35 extras thrown in for good measure we declared ourselves rather pleased with 230/6 from our 40 overs.

Defending it, the lads were magnificent in the field. Joel Attwood ripped through with 2-4, Blair Mundell and Toby Joseph chipped in with 2-17 apiece, and Josh Niblett's duck with the bat was quickly forgotten as the bowling did the talking. Ashley Maguire's 56 and Peter Kenward's 27 threatened a rally, but 125-4 became 142-7 in a hurry, and the game swung decisively our way in the 36th over. All out for 155.

A fine win by 75 runs. The tea urn has rarely tasted sweeter – onwards.

Sat 28 Jun 2025 🧢 2nd XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformLLDLW

Saturday 28 June 2025, and Cobham CC came to Linton Park under a sky that couldn't decide between scorching us or soaking us — scorching and damp, if such a thing is possible, and cricket doesn't care either way. I won the toss and batted without a flicker of doubt, a decision that looked rather clever once we'd posted 237/6 from our forty overs. I'll confess to a small glow of pride at top-scoring myself with 71, though Luke Welsman (41) and Anthony Karassellos (39) did plenty of the heavy lifting to get us to a total that felt, from the boundary, distinctly defendable.

So it proved. Cobham fought hard through Itihaas Adama's 40, with Charlie Dennis (29) and Dominic Hart (26) chipping in, but they never quite got away from us, bowled out for 157 in 39.1 overs. Anthony Karassellos, not content with his runs, ran through them with the ball too — 3-14 was the pick of a fine collective effort, backed up by Sam King (2-25) and the metronomic Michael Ludick (1-18, three maidens, barely a bad ball all afternoon). Poor Zeeshan Chaudhry departed for a golden duck, and eight byes gave Johan Eloff behind the stumps a day he'll not remember fondly.

The real headline, though, belonged to Altus Diener, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a proper mantelpiece moment. Add in Welsman and Karassellos leading the season's run and wicket charts respectively, and an 80-run win, and this was about as complete a Saturday as club cricket offers.

Sat 28 Jun 2025 🧢 1st XIv Kings Hill CC · AwayformWLLLW

A scorching, drizzly sort of afternoon greeted us at Kings Hill — the kind of weather that can't decide whether it's Wimbledon or Glastonbury — and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first. It proved the right call. Toby Hughes led the way with a fine 68, well supported by Jordan Austin's classy 52 and Benjamin Austin's 28, while the openers laid the platform with 61 for the first wicket and a commanding 119-run stand for the fourth held the innings together. Poor Tobey Castle contributed a golden nothing, and even our extras column chipped in a useful 45, as we closed on a formidable 281/7 from our 45 overs.

Defending that total, we bowled Kings Hill out for 192 in 38.3 overs, despite a spirited 66-run opening stand and Ashley Ulph's 38 leading their reply. Thomas Beeney was magnificent, taking 4-41 and, in doing so, easing past John Ames into 13th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — one for the mantelpiece indeed. Martin Harris and Toby Hughes chipped in with two apiece. We were rather too generous in the field, though, gifting 21 wides and a no-ball we could ill afford, and as for the skipper — a golden blob, proving once again that leading by example doesn't always extend to the batting.

Nick Catt continues to top the run charts and Beeney the wickets, but this was a team performance through and through. A fine win by 89 runs. Onwards.

Sun 22 Jun 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Capel CC, Kent · HomeformWWLWW

Sunday 22 June brought Capel CC to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't dither for a second — bat first, and see what we could set.

We rattled along nicely to 129/4 from our 20 overs, with Hannah Odling anchoring the innings on 31 not out and Laura Thorogood keeping her steady company with 30 not out. Credit too must go to Capel's bowlers, who kindly donated 29 extras to the cause — every run counts, even the ones we didn't strictly earn.

Defending it, the ball did the talking. Abi Thirkell was superb, finishing with 2-8 and setting the tone, while Laura Holdstock (1-6) and Laura Boorman (1-7) chipped in to keep the squeeze on. Capel could only manage 82/6 in reply. I'll confess our fielding left a little to be desired — 34 wides and a no-ball is the sort of generosity you'd expect at a vicarage tea party, not out in the middle, and it's a habit we'll need to iron out before it costs us against sterner opposition.

Elsewhere, the season charts make pleasant reading: Laura Boorman continues to lead the way with the bat on 163 runs, and sits second among the bowlers with 10 wickets — a fine advertisement for doing both jobs well.

All told, a 47-run win, some wayward umbrella-wides notwithstanding. A very good day for the club.

Sun 22 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LC Leybourne CC · HomeformLWWWL

Cricket Club Gazette, Sunday 22 June 2025 – Linton Park CC v Leybourne CC

I won the toss on a warm, damp afternoon and, in a fit of optimism I'd like to say was tactical genius, elected to bat. Ninety-two all out from 33.1 overs was, shall we say, a modest total, propped up chiefly by Laurie Probert's gutsy 33 and Frank Harbord's supporting 23. Elsewhere the scorebook made for grim reading — Richard Piper, Zach Wilde and Ian Lowe all completed the walk of shame for a duck apiece, giving the ledger a decidedly waterfowl flavour.

Out came the ball, and for a while we dared to dream. Leybourne were nudged along steadily but never allowed to run away with it, Tim Thirkell bowling with real discipline — 2 for 14 including two maidens, not a run given away lightly — with James Gray (1-6) and Nolan Wilde (1-7) chipping in nicely, and Rahul Parakh sent packing without troubling the scorers. But Tom Palmer's unbeaten 34, well supported by Rupert Davenport's 20, saw Leybourne home at 93/4 with 25.2 overs on the clock.

A word of encouragement amid the wreckage: Nolan Wilde sits second in the 2025 Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 141, and Tim Thirkell tops the wicket charts with 12 — proof there's genuine quality in these ranks, even when the collective doesn't fire.

Down by six wickets, then, and not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 22 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Wingham CC · AwayformWWLLL

Skipper's Log, Sunday 22 June 2025: the road took us to Wingham, and for once the coin obliged — heads it was, and I stuck us in, fancying a bit of early swing and a lot of tea.

It didn't quite pan out. Henry Goss made merry with an unbeaten 73, and with Andrew West (28) and Simon Chittim (28) chipping in either side of him, Wingham motored to 204/8 from their 40. Small mercies: Jason Cork went back for a duck, and the bowling had real teeth — Martin Harris was magnificent with 4-38, Ian Hollingworth chimed in with 1-23, and Thomas Roxburgh bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 1-39. Not a run given away lightly, even if 204 felt a shade steep at tea.

With the bat, Jordan Austin (65) and Toby Hughes (64) put together a wonderful 86 for the third wicket and had us dreaming, with Luke Welsman's 30 keeping the innings ticking nicely. Then came the sort of collapse only Linton Park can conjure — 174-6 became 184-9 before we'd finished our tea, and we folded for 184 in 37.2 overs, twenty runs shy.

Silver linings, mind: a happy day with the ball for your skipper (4 wickets), Toby brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, and Martin sailed past 700 career wickets. Austin still leads our Sunday run charts, Hollingworth our wicket ones. Beaten, bruised, but not remotely bowed — we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 21 Jun 2025 🧢 4th XIv EC East Sutton CC · AwayformLWWWW

We took the field at East Sutton under a sky that couldn't decide whether it was scorching or overcast, which just about summed up the character of the day. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first is never the news you want to hear, but the lads set to it gamely. East Sutton built steadily on the back of a 56-run opening stand, and Jonah Harcourt made himself thoroughly at home for an unbeaten fifty, with Rob Yardy (38) and Will Brunt (35) chipping in handsomely around him. 219/4 from the forty overs was a stiff ask. William Gray was the pick of our attack with 2-23, Ian Lowe (1-38) and Andrew Joseph (1-53) offered honest support, and Sam King bowled with real discipline, sending down three maidens for his trouble. Nine byes, mind you, told their own quiet story of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

With 220 to chase, we never quite found the fluency required. Glen Rawson led the reply with a battling 39, Rahul Parakh weighed in with 37, but wickets fell steadily around them and we closed on 163/8 — a shortfall of 56 runs, mirroring that opening partnership almost too neatly for comfort.

Elsewhere there were crumbs of comfort: Srikrishna Challa continues to build a tidy season with the bat, now fourth in the 4th XI run charts, while Ian Lowe's wicket-taking keeps him second in the bowling standings. But today itself belonged to the opposition. Not our day, heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 21 Jun 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Sheppey CC · HomeformWWWLW

It was Sheppey CC at home on Saturday, and I called correctly at the toss — which, given my recent form on that particular coin, felt like the biggest decision I'd get right all afternoon. No hesitation in batting first, and the lads repaid the faith handsomely: 215/7 from our forty overs, built on a lovely half-century from Nolan Wilde (63) and fine support from Will Hughes (52) and Johan Eloff (35). Kenny Liebenberg and Ian Bruce both trudged back for ducks, as cricket occasionally insists on reminding even good sides that it owes nobody anything. A generous 33 extras rounded out a total that had a distinctly useful look about it.

Sheppey's reply never got going. Henry Campbell was magnificent, ripping through with 3-4 and, in the process, reaching fifty career wickets — a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted in the pavilion afterwards. Tim Thirkell (3-19) and Ian Bruce (2-5) piled on the misery, and with Daniel Whiting, Archie Buckland and Dale Marsh all failing to trouble the scorers, Sheppey folded for 113 in just 21.3 overs. Adam Woodford's 25 was the only real resistance.

I'll confess our fielding had its wobbles — 8 byes and 23 extra runs gifted through wides and no-balls is not a line I'll be framing for the clubhouse wall, and poor Johan had a torrid time of it behind the stumps. But a 102-run win is a 102-run win, Nolan and Henry are both climbing the season charts, and frankly, we'll take it. Onwards.

Sat 21 Jun 2025 🧢 2nd XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWLLDL

Saturday 21 June saw us make the trip to The Mote, and honesty compels me to admit the toss did nothing for us — they had first use of a pitch that, for a while, looked like it might have them setting a total we'd be chasing shadows on.

Hussain Azmat and Jonathan Crowhurst put together a stand of real substance, 55 and 51 respectively, and for long stretches it was their innings to shape as they pleased. But cricket has a way of rewarding patience, and William Bacon, John Tucker and Sisira Attharagama all fell for ducks as our attack found its rhythm. Anthony Karassellos was superb, 3 for 29, with Michael Ludick (2-18, four maidens — miserly barely covers it) and Alex Wade (2-39) squeezing just as hard at the other end. 164 all out from 39 overs felt, by the close of their innings, like a target within reach.

And reach it we did, in some style. Thomas Roxburgh played the innings of the day, 65 not out, with Altus Diener right alongside him on 59 and Luke Welsman chipping in a handy 28. Seven wickets to spare and overs to burn — though poor Aaron Hughes will want a quiet word with himself after conceding 17 byes, a stat that rather tells its own tale of a testing day behind the stumps.

A fine win, deservedly taken. Onwards.

Sat 21 Jun 2025 🧢 1st XIv Borstal CC · HomeformLWLLL

Saturday last, and the sun had the good manners to shine even through the cloud, which is about as English a summer as we've any right to expect. Borstal CC arrived, I lost the toss, and we were put into the field — never my favourite start, but there we are.

They battled to 188 all out, David Child top-scoring with a handsome 49, David Round and Ashley Cockerton weighing in with 38 apiece as part of a fourth-wicket stand of 60 that threatened to run away from us. Credit to the bowling, though: Tom Campbell was superb with 4-50, Thomas Beeney chipped away for 3-43, and Alex Keeler bowled with the parsimony of a man checking the club bar tab, 1-25 with two maidens. Daniel Difford, meanwhile, joins the illustrious company of the Duck Club, out for nought.

Chasing 189, we set about it in fine style — Toby Hughes unbeaten on 61 and Nick Catt with a classy 54, the pair sharing an opening stand of 92 that did most of the hard work before I'd even had time to worry. Benjamin Austin added 35, I fumbled my way to a workmanlike 27, and Jordan Austin, less fortunately, took his own trip to Duck Club for nought. Nick Catt now leads our season's run charts with 342, and Tom Campbell tops the wickets with 21 — the engine room of the side, clearly.

We got home by seven wickets. A thoroughly good day for the club, and a fine one for the tea urn.

Sun 15 Jun 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWWLW

Sunday saw us venture to Penshurst Park, dodging the showers, and losing the toss too — Penshurst won it and, without hesitation, chose to bat. We had first use of the ball, and what a start we made of it: 5 for 1 inside the first few overs set the tone nicely, and the Duck Club ledger swelled early as Elaine Ducklin, Georgie Stober and Elizabeth Woolman all trooped back without troubling the scorers. Michaela Karassellos was quite magnificent, plundering 4 for 7, with Laura Boorman (2 for 6) and Carly Copping (1 for 8) offering splendid support. Penshurst limped to 68 for 8 from their sixteen overs — a target that, on paper at least, looked eminently gettable.

And gettable it proved. We cantered to 69 for 1 in just 10.2 overs, Hannah Odling playing the innings of the day with a composed 34 not out to see us home in style. Spare a thought, though, for poor Rachel Rawson, who contributed a duck to proceedings and took the walk of shame — the ledger giveth and the ledger taketh away.

There's context to all this, too: Hannah now sits fifth in this season's Women's Softball run charts with 62 to her name, while Michaela leads the wicket charts outright with 11 — proof, if any were needed, that this was no fluke.

Eight wickets to the good, home in time for tea and thoroughly pleased with ourselves. A good day for the club, and one Penshurst won't be in a hurry to remember.

Sun 15 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Beckenham CC · HomeformLWWLL

Sunday 15 June, and Beckenham CC rolled up under a sky that couldn't decide between sunshine and drizzle, rather like our top order on a bad day. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains a weak suit — and we were asked to bowl first and chase. Beckenham made themselves at home early, the openers putting on a chunky 114 before Martin Harris finally prised one out, finishing with 3-39 to lead the attack; Thomas Beeney (1-29) and Andrew Joseph (1-46) chipped in as Beckenham closed on 230/5 from their forty overs, built on Chris Barnett's fine 80, Bobby Harris's 61 and a brisk 49 from Amer Saeed. I found a bit of rhythm myself with three wickets, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for weeks to come.

Chasing 231, we were always up against it. Jordan Austin's 39 and Thomas Beeney's 38 gave us hope, Benjamin Austin chipped in with 34, and a stubborn 78-run stand for the seventh wicket had us dreaming, but 215 all out in 40.4 overs told its own story — not helped by ducks for Harvey Lowe and Toby Joseph, who can console themselves with the club's traditional 25 extras propping up the total.

One bright note amid the gloom: Martin Harris's three wickets moved him past Darren Styles into sixth on the club's all-time list. Benjamin Austin still leads our run charts this season, and Thomas Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers. Beaten by 15 runs in the end — honest, hard-fought cricket, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 15 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformLLWWW

Beaten by 1 wicket at Southborough on Sunday, and if that doesn't sum up a captain's lot in this great game, nothing does. Losing the toss and being put in is never the tonic you want, but 141 all out from 24.4 overs at least had some backbone to it. Nolan Wilde battled to an unbeaten 55 — and in doing so brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, which called for rather more than the usual ripple of applause. Anthony Karassellos chipped in with a handy 46, but the middle order rather lost the plot between 83-4 and 90-7, and three ducks on the card (mine included, alongside James Gray and Alexander Nunn) made for uncomfortable reading over the teas.

With ball in hand we fought hard. Frank Harbord bowled beautifully for 3-10, Zach Wilde and Tim Thirkell chipped in with two apiece, and James Gray was tight as a drum with two maidens. But Ali Zaidi's 61 and a composed 27 not out from Glenn Morante nudged Southborough home by the narrowest of margins, 145 all out in 26.3 overs.

A personal 55 was some consolation, and the season charts offer cheer too — Anthony Karassellos leading our Sunday 2nd XI run tally on 274, Tim Thirkell topping the wickets with 10. But a one-wicket defeat stings all the same. We'll be better for it next week — we usually are, eventually.

Sat 14 Jun 2025 🧢 3rd XIv OC Orpington Ocelots CC · AwayformLWWWL

We travelled down to Orpington Ocelots CC on Saturday 14th June under warm, drizzly skies, and after losing the toss found ourselves striding out to bat — never the worst instruction on a good, true pitch. Michael Ludick and our openers set about it with real intent, 79 on the board before the first breakthrough, and Ludick went on to compile a magnificent 89. Brandon Eloff chipped in with a well-made 60 and Altus Diener a tidy 41, and by the close of our forty overs we'd posted a commanding 261/5. A total, I dare say, with a bit of swagger about it.

If 261 felt handsome, what followed was near ruthless. Praveen Tunga was in inspired form with the ball, 4-17 including three maidens that strangled any hope of momentum, well supported by John Karassellos (2-40) and Euan Beardwell (1-6). We had them 31-1 to 42-4 before they knew what had hit them, with poor Firoz Khan Pathan and Vinod Ranganathan both departing without troubling the scorers. Only Vaibhav Vinod, unbeaten on 40, showed any real defiance as their innings folded for 117 in 32.2 overs, the 28th proving especially costly with two wickets in the over. Johan Eloff had a trickier afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes the only real blemish on an otherwise clinical display.

A 144-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards we go, Ludick now our leading run-scorer of the season and Campbell our chief wicket-taker — the engine room is purring nicely.

Sat 14 Jun 2025 🧢 2nd XIv SC Snodland Community CC · AwayformLWLLD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 14 June 2025. We travelled to Snodland Community CC with spirits high and returned, it must be said, with them rather dented.

Losing the toss and being asked to chase is never the tonic a captain wants on a warm afternoon, and so it proved. Snodland set about us with real purpose, racing to 254/4 from their forty overs. Adam Flynn was the chief architect of our misery, a magnificent century that had us chasing leather all afternoon, ably supported by Sam Tucker's fine 79 and a brisk 23 from Lee Hewitt. Their second-wicket pair put on a match-defining 179, and by the time they'd finished we knew we had a mountain in front of us. Alex Wade was our pick of the attack with 3-40, chipping away manfully, with Matthew Carter (1-40) lending a hand.

Chasing 255, we simply never got going, bowled out for 164 in the 38th over. Ethan Joubert battled to 36, Inus Joubert made a tidy 31, Will Thew chipped in with 20, and I managed the same myself. Martin Rivers and James Gray, alas, both departed for ducks — the sort of afternoon best forgotten quickly over a pint.

There was, at least, cause for cheer: Aaron Hughes brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, and Matthew Carter's wicket carried him past Ian Brattle into 10th on our all-time list. Small mercies. Down by 90 runs — not our day. Heads up, lads, back to the nets.

Sat 14 Jun 2025 🧢 1st XIv Tonbridge CC · HomeformLLWLL

Not our finest afternoon, but here's how it read from the middle.

A warm, drizzly Saturday saw Tonbridge CC pay us a visit, and having called correctly at the toss for once, I had no hesitation in sticking us into the field — a decision I stand by, even if the scoreboard tells a different tale. We made an early inroad at 8-1, but Ollie Peake had other ideas, compiling a magnificent 104 while Ben Peters chipped in with 30, the pair steadying the ship with a 63-run stand for the sixth wicket. Tonbridge closed on 222/9 from their 45, and credit where it's due: Tom Campbell was the pick of our attack with 3-35, well backed by Thomas Beeney (2-27), Toby Hughes (2-37) and three miserly maidens from Alex Keeler.

Chasing 223, we set about it with intent. Benjamin Austin played a fine captain's-innings-in-all-but-name, 62 to the good, with Jordan Austin (41) and Alex Keeler (32) lending sturdy support and the pair of Austin and Keeler adding 89 for the second wicket — the innings' backbone. I contributed a watchful 16, and poor Mike Jessop's afternoon began and ended without troubling the scorers. In the end we fell agonisingly short on 213/9, nine runs adrift.

A proper arm-wrestle of a match, decided by the finest of margins — and small consolation that Nick Catt (288 runs) and Tom Campbell (17 wickets) continue to lead our season's charts. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Thu 12 Jun 2025 🧢 Twenty20v Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWWL

Thursday 12 June, and a warm grey afternoon greeted Bearsted CC to Linton Park — the sort of day that promises nothing and occasionally delivers. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock, a decision I shall now smugly claim credit for. The lads posted a handy 151/7 from our twenty, built chiefly on Jordan Austin's excellent unbeaten 55 and Benjamin Austin's tidy 27 alongside him — though I'll draw a discreet veil over Brandon Eloff's golden duck, which I'm sure troubled nobody quite so much as Brandon.

Defending 151 is never a formality, and Bearsted made us work for every run, racing to 146/4 off their twenty. Joe Waylett looked in fine touch for 41 not out, with useful support from Toby Hughes (23) and Angus Kenny (20), and for a few overs there I confess my tea went cold in my hand. But Brandon — redemption arriving swiftly and sweetly — tore through with 2-6, backed up nicely by Manha Safeer (1-19) and Euan Beardwell (1-28), and we held our nerve to the very last.

Five runs the margin, and never has a win felt more thoroughly earned or narrowly escaped. Jordan Austin now sits proudly atop our season's run charts, with Brandon leading the wickets — quite the turnaround from duck to hero inside a single afternoon. A fine win, and onwards we go.

Sun 08 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC · AwayformWLLWW

Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC away, and a grey old afternoon for it. We lost the toss, were sent out to field, and set about restricting the home side with more discipline than we're usually credited with. They rattled up 148 all out from their 39 overs, with Jesuit Simon (44) and Bobby Mathew (44) doing most of the damage, ably assisted by Rakesh Thayiri's 25. Terry Daniel departed for a duck at our hands, which felt like small mercy. Alexander Nunn was the pick of the attack by some distance — 4-21 with two maidens thrown in for good measure — while Tim Thirkell (3-26) and Zach Wilde (1-18) chipped away tidily either end.

A target of 149 should never have troubled us, and for a while it didn't. Nolan Wilde played the innings of the day, a composed 59 not out, well supported by Blair Mundell's 30. Then, in the time it takes to put the kettle on, we collapsed from 59-2 to 65-5, and several of us — Alex Holt and Josh Gurney among them — contributed nothing but ducks to the cause. Cue the customary muttering from the boundary.

But the tail wagged handsomely, adding a defiant 72 to see us home at 150-7, and I'll confess a personal 59 not out was rather satisfying to bank. Two points, thoroughly earned, for a three-wicket win that owed as much to nerve as to talent.

Sun 08 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Willesborough CC · HomeformWLWWL

As we won the toss, I decided we'd have a bowl on a pleasant, grey Sunday afternoon at Linton Park, with Willesborough CC our guests. It seemed the sensible thing to do at the time.

Shazil Malik gave us a lesson in application with a well-made 48, and had willing company from Shaheer Malik (29) and Berlin Paul (21) as Willesborough compiled 193 all out from their 37 overs — a total that felt about twenty runs heavier than it should have by the close. Credit where due, though: Toby Hughes bowled beautifully for 2-19 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, while Anthony Karassellos (2-21) and Thomas Roxburgh (2-46) chipped in to keep the visitors honest. Sanjay Sharma and Mohammed Hasan both departed for ducks at our hands, which was some small consolation.

Chasing 193 was always going to ask questions of our batting, and we didn't much like the answers. Theo Clements top-scored with a gritty 30, well supported by Toby Hughes with a matching 30 of his own, but wickets tumbled around them and we subsided to 112 all out in 23.5 overs — Toby Joseph and Ethan Joubert both collecting golden ducks along the way.

Beaten by 81 runs, then, and no arguing with the margin. Benjamin Austin continues to lead our run charts this season and Thomas Beeney our wicket-takers, which offers some comfort — but for the rest of us, it's back to the nets. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 07 Jun 2025 🧢 4th XIv OC Orpington Ocelots CC · AwayformLLWWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 07 June 2025, and the road took us to Orpington Ocelots CC on a pleasant, wet afternoon. I called correctly and, with visions of grass beneath cloud, stuck them in.

It looked the shrewder decision early doors, with Rohit Sabikhi and Shekhar Rajan gone for a duck and the score reading a tidy 0-1. But Guruprasad Rajamanickam had other ideas, ticking past his fifty to finish on 51 and drag Orpington to 112/9 from their thirty overs. Ian Lowe was the pick of us, 3-32 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, well supported by Richard Knowler (2-17) and Srikrishna Challa (2-25). A defendable total, we felt, though not an unassailable one.

And so it proved, eventually, agonisingly. Mardey Castle led the reply with 40, and along the way brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth more applause than we gave it at the time, distracted as we were by the collapse unfolding around him. Toby Joseph, Johan Eloff and Srikrishna Challa all fell for ducks, and the innings lurched from 36-2 to 43-5 in the sort of rush that turns a captain's hair grey. I contributed nought myself — we shall draw a veil over it. But the lads found width off a generous back-of-a-length attack, found the boundary in the 17th to lift the tempo, and somehow, with 113/9 from 29.3 overs, got us home by a single wicket. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a good deal more grey hair than the scoreboard suggests.

Sat 07 Jun 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC · HomeformWLWLL

Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC, Saturday 7 June, the sky doing its damp Kentish best over Linton Park. I won the toss and, with the outfield a shade greasy but the ball coming on nicely, didn't think twice about batting first — a decision I'm rather pleased to have made, for once.

What followed was as handsome a knock as we've assembled all season. Richard Piper set about things with real purpose for 87, Michael Ludick weighed in with a classy 78, and Altus Diener chipped in a fine fifty of his own with 56 — three half-centuries stitched together into a total that had the tea urn practically boiling with anticipation. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 30. Forty overs later we'd posted 287/3, a total that felt, for a brief and glorious afternoon, entirely beyond reproach.

In the field we were tidy without ever quite landing the knockout blow. Alex Wade was pick of the attack, prising one out for 20 runs, but Stephen Negus batted with sense and application for 21 as Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill settled for containment, closing on 57/1 from their 16 overs before the weather, or perhaps simple English pragmatism, called a halt.

So, honours shared, and no shame in it. With Piper now third in the 2nd XI's run charts and Wade second among the wicket-takers, there's plenty for this side to be quietly proud of — a draw that felt, on the day, rather more like ours than theirs.

Sun 01 Jun 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Town Malling CC · AwayformWWL

The road to Town Malling CC on a bright first of June, and I won the toss with what I like to think was the swagger of a captain who actually knew what she was doing — elected to field, and for once my hunch didn't let me down.

Town Malling were shovelled out for 64 in 14 overs, with Cham Fernando and Charlie Rowland both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Laura Thorogood was magnificent, ripping through with 3-8, while Michaela Karassellos (3-13) and Nicola Coomansingh (2-11) tidied up what was left. It would have been tidier still had we not gifted them 31 extras in wides and no-balls — generosity is a lovely quality in a person, less so in a bowling attack, and I shall be having quiet words at nets.

Chasing 64 was never going to trouble us, and so it proved: 68 for 1 off just 9 overs, Nicola Coomansingh unbeaten on 26 and Claire Daniels calmly seeing us home with 24 not out. Nicola continues her extraordinary season, sitting second in the run charts with 88 and top of the wicket-takers with 9 — one suspects she is quietly running the entire club single-handedly while the rest of us watch on admiringly.

Six wickets, two points, home in time for tea. A thoroughly earned victory, extras notwithstanding.

Sun 01 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · HomeformLWLLW

I lost the toss again — New Ifield clearly know something about my coin-calling I don't — and were duly asked to have first use of the willow while we tried our arm with the ball. Hrishi Ranganathan and Jazz Saini then set about batting as though the pitch owed them money, cruising to unbeaten fifties of 65 and 63 respectively, and 202/3 from their forty overs felt like a proper mountain to be handed on a grey Sunday afternoon. Tim Thirkell did his level best to put a dent in proceedings with 2-34, well backed by James Gray's 1-56, but the pair of them batted on with the serenity of men who'd already checked the tea urn was on.

Chasing 203 is never a stroll, but Anthony Karassellos decided the occasion called for something special and produced a glorious 86, the kind of innings that makes the rest of us look faintly ridiculous by comparison. Will Thew then strolled in and stroked an unbeaten 75 as if he'd been sent out simply to finish the job off with minimum fuss, and between them they saw us home on 204/4 with three overs unused — six wickets and, more importantly, all our dignity intact.

Karassellos continues to plunder the Sunday 2nd XI run charts, now on 228 for the season, while Thirkell leads the wickets column with five — form that suggests the pair of them ought to be doing the tea rota out of sheer decency. A fine chase, a good win, and for once I can say the toss didn't matter a jot.

Sun 01 Jun 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Stone-in-Oxney CC · AwayformWWLWW

Sunday last, and we made the trek to Stone-in-Oxney under skies of that particular English grey that promises nothing and delivers rain to no one — a mercy, as it turned out. I won the toss and had no hesitation in bowling first, a decision I shall be dining out on for at least a fortnight regardless of what follows. Stone-in-Oxney posted 214/9 from their forty overs, built around a well-made fifty from Scott Freeman (56) and steady support from Ryan Knight, unbeaten on 48, with Owen Piper chipping in 25. Nick Maitland and Patrick Watsham departed for spinner's ducks, and it was Ian Hollingworth who did the real damage, turning the ball square for a magnificent 5-28. Alex Wade (2-33) and Thomas Beeney (1-37) tidied up round the edges.

Chasing 215, we never quite found our rhythm, bowled out for 153 in 34.3 overs. Luke Welsman batted beautifully for an unbeaten fifty, well supported by Benjamin Austin's 35, but wickets fell steadily at the other end, and Ian Hollingworth's golden duck rather summed up our afternoon with the bat.

There was, at least, cause for real celebration: Mardey Castle brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark few of us will ever reach and one thoroughly deserved.

A defeat by 61 runs, then — heads up, chins up, and back to the nets. Hollingworth's twelfth wicket of the summer is scant consolation for the skipper, but the season marches on.

Sat 31 May 2025 🧢 4th XIv Egerton CC, Kent · HomeformLLLWW

Saturday last saw Egerton CC, Kent, roll into Linton Park, and I confess winning the toss and sticking us into the field felt like the sort of decision I'd either be dining out on or quietly living down by teatime. Happily, it was the former.

Egerton huffed and puffed their way to 86 all out in 32.5 overs, John Harrison's unbeaten 41 the only real resistance amid a collapse that saw 38-2 crumble to 48-5 with almost indecent haste. Dave Shrubb, Roger Burgess and Sarah Woods all trooped back without so much as troubling the scorer — a trio of ducks I shall tactfully not dwell on further. Srikrishna Challa was magnificent with the ball, 3-22 and now sitting proudly atop our 4th XI wicket charts with 9 for the season, while Ian Bruce (2-6) and Ian Lowe (2-22, with two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure) made sure nothing came easily.

Chasing 87, we were rarely troubled, cruising home at 87-3 from 25.3 overs. Nolan Wilde top-scored with a composed 35, keeping his name handsomely placed second in the season's run charts on 105.

A seven-wicket win, achieved with minimum fuss and maximum tea consumption. Toss decisions don't come right very often in this club — I intend to remind everyone of this one for weeks.

Sat 31 May 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Bredgar CC · AwayformWLWWW

Saturday 31 May found us on the road to Bredgar, under skies of that particular English grey that promises rain and delivers only humidity. I lost the toss — a coin that has developed a distinct dislike of me this season — and we were asked to field, which on a warm, heavy afternoon felt rather like being volunteered for extra homework.

To our credit, we stuck at it. Bredgar were eventually shepherded out for 154 in 37.1 overs, Stephen Goodhew (40) and Patrick Hogben (27) doing most of the damage before Michael Ludick got among them in spectacular fashion, returning 4-41. Alexander Nunn (2-11) and Sam King (2-15) chipped in nicely, while Praveen Tunga bowled two tidy maidens and generally made life miserable for anyone trying to get after him. All told, 154 felt like a target within reach.

It was not. Our reply lasted a brisk, brutal 14 overs before we were all out for 49 — a collapse so complete it barely qualifies as a batting innings. The Duck Club did a roaring trade, with Nick Tromp, Brandon Eloff and Johan Eloff all taking the walk of shame for nought. I managed 17, which felt heroic only by comparison. Elsewhere in the season, Michael Ludick continues to lead our 3rd XI run charts with 319, and Henry Campbell tops the wicket pile with 7.

Beaten by 105 runs, then — a chastening afternoon, but not a fatal one. We'll dust ourselves off and be better for it next week.

Sat 31 May 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Dartford CC · HomeformWWLWL

From the captain's chair, Saturday 31 May 2025: we welcomed Dartford CC to Linton Park under a warm, grey sky that threatened rather more than it delivered. I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might suggest afterwards.

Our innings never quite found its rhythm, and 121 all out from 35.4 overs was a modest total by anyone's reckoning. Theo Clements top-scored with a battling 21, while further down the order Laurie Probert made the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated. As for the skipper, the less said the better: a golden blob that did nothing to inspire the troops, though I'd like to think leading from the front doesn't always require runs.

With the ball we gave a better account of ourselves without quite landing the killer blow. Martin Harris was pick of the attack with 2-25, well supported by Tim Thirkell (1-16) and Alex Wade (1-26), but Dartford's middle order had other ideas. Joe Murphy's unbeaten 32 anchored the chase, with Abhilash Pawar (28) and James Fitzgerald (27 not out) doing the damage either side of him, and they cantered home at 124/4 from 27.4 overs.

Elsewhere, Luke Welsman continues to top the 2nd XI run charts on 192 for the season, with Alex Wade now fifth among the wicket-takers on four. As for Saturday, though — not our day. Down by six wickets, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 31 May 2025 🧢 1st XIv BC Bapchild CC · AwayformWLLWL

Saturday 31 May found us on the road at Bapchild CC, under a warm, overcast sky that promised rain and delivered none — typical. I lost the toss, they had a bat, and so we trudged into the field with nothing but hope and a new ball for company.

Bapchild made themselves at home, posting 208/9 from their 45 overs. Tom Carey was the chief architect of our afternoon's toil, a classy 82, with James Weller chipping in a handy 28. We did have our moments — Chris Knope back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, quack and all — and Tom Campbell was superb, 3-49 to lead the attack, well supported by Toby Hughes (2-14) and Fred Taylor (2-31).

Chasing 209, we gave it a proper go. Nick Catt played the innings of the day, a composed 54, with Jordan Austin lending fine support on 43. Sadly the middle and lower order couldn't quite build on it, and poor Fred Taylor endured a day of two halves — two wickets with the ball, then a golden duck with the bat, joining the Duck Club ledger for his trouble. We were all out for 176 in 43.3 overs.

Nick Catt continues to top the season's run charts with 249, and Tom Campbell now leads the wicket-takers with 12 — both real bright spots in an otherwise grey afternoon. Down by 32 runs in the end. Not our day, lads — heads up, and back to the nets.

Mon 26 May 2025 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformWLLLW

Monday the twenty-sixth of May, and Maidstone Dissidents rolled up to find Linton Park bathed in the kind of gentle Kentish drizzle that makes a captain's coin toss feel almost decorative. Naturally I lost it anyway, and we were asked to bat.

What followed, though, was a treat. Jordan Austin played an innings of pure theatre, carrying his bat for a magnificent, unbeaten century, with Daniel Baker's brisk 24 helping build an 81-run stand for the second wicket that was the platform for everything. Elsewhere the top order rather kept its powder dry — John Karassellos and Farhan Malik both departed for golden ducks, proof that even a good day has its footnotes — but 194 for 7 from our forty overs felt like a total with substance.

With the ball we were made to work for it. An early wobble to 8 for 1 threatened a nervy afternoon, and Tobey Castle's unbeaten 92, backed by Toby Hughes's 21 and a stubborn 53-run seventh-wicket stand, dragged the Dissidents back into contention. But Will Hughes (2-16), Martin Harris (2-25) and Farhan Malik (2-29) shared the damage, Thomas Beeney bowled two tidy maidens, and three more ducks went begging at the other end. Fifteen byes past poor Benjamin Austin behind the stumps were the only blemish on a day he'll otherwise remember for reaching 6,000 career runs for the club.

A cracking, thoroughly earned 24-run win.

Sun 25 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv GC Grenfell CC · HomeformWWWLW

Sunday 25 May 2025, and Grenfell CC rolled up to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide whether to rain on our parade or not. I called correctly at the toss — a rare enough event to be noted in the log — and didn't think twice about batting first.

What followed was about as good as it gets. Our openers put on 98 before the first wicket fell, and from there the innings simply refused to slow down. Benjamin Austin (52 not out) and Jordan Austin (50 not out) both raised well-made fifties, with Thomas Roxburgh (50 not out) chipping in a fine half-century of his own, and even the tail wagged for a final 54 to leave Grenfell's bowlers thoroughly frustrated. We closed on 299/3 from our 40 overs — the sort of total that makes the tea urn taste sweeter.

With the ball, it only got better. Thomas Beeney was magnificent, ripping through with 3-3, well backed by Darrell Houghton-Judge (2-15), Ian Hollingworth (2-46) and two tidy maidens from Martin Harris. Sarabhjit Singh's defiant 49 was the only real resistance; Grenfell lost an early wicket at 6, then collapsed from 98-6 to 106-9 in a hurry, with Simon Stevens and Daniel Furminger both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Poor Luke Welsman had a torrid time behind the stumps, 16 byes the price of a lively surface. All out for 111 in 27.5 overs — a 188-run victory. A nod, too, to Beeney, now 14th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 25 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Capel CC, Kent · HomeformLLWLL

Sunday 25 May saw Capel CC roll into Linton Park under a decent sky, and the coin did the decent thing for once — down it came my way, and there was only one call: have a bat.

It proved a shrewd one. Anthony Karassellos and the top order set about things nicely, the openers ticking along to 92 before the first wicket finally fell — the sort of platform captains dream of and rarely get. Karassellos went on to a fine 47, Theo Clements chipped in a tidy 40, and Josh Gurney's 22 rounded out a total of 186/7 from our 35 overs that always looked competitive. The shot of the day belonged, unsurprisingly, to Karassellos, who clubbed one back over the bowler's head for six — the kind of blow that has the tea urn rattling in the pavilion. Rather touchingly, he also brought up 2,000 career runs for the club along the way, which called for rather more applause than the six itself.

With the ball, we were relentless. Poor Phil Lander departed without so much as troubling the scorers, and from there Capel never recovered — Euan Beardwell (2-8), Nolan Wilde (2-8, with four maidens to his name) and Ian Lowe (2-12) shared the spoils as the innings folded for 76 in 27.2 overs. Their bowlers dropped short in reply and we simply rocked back and helped ourselves square of the wicket.

A comfortable 110-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Karassellos and Wilde both further extending their leads atop the season's run and wicket charts. Tea was, I'm reliably informed, very good indeed.

Sat 24 May 2025 🧢 4th XIv Upchurch CC · AwayformLLLLW

Well, another Saturday, another trip down to Upchurch, and another reminder that this game owes us nothing and delights in proving it.

We lost the toss — no great surprise, my luck with the coin has been shocking all season — and were put into the field. Upchurch battled to 120 all out from 34.5 overs, with Ollie Whittingham the chief nuisance, unbeaten on 44. Credit where it's due: Ethan Joubert was superb with the ball, 3-24, backed up handsomely by Inus Joubert and Srikrishna Challa, two apiece for 19, while Joel Attwood strangled the scoring with three maidens. A proper team effort with the ball, and 120 always felt a touch light on that surface.

Our reply had its wobbles. Thilakshan Makenthiran, Awais Khaliq and Thomas Taylor all departed without so much as a nudge off the mark — three ducks in one innings is the sort of thing that gets mentioned at the bar for weeks. And with 11 byes conceded, poor Johan Eloff behind the stumps will be having quiet words with himself. The 23rd over threatened to derail us entirely, two wickets falling in a hurry, but Nolan Wilde stood firm, cruising past his fifty to 70 and steering us home to 121/5 in 25 overs.

Five wickets, two points, and thoroughly deserved despite the scares along the way. Ollie Whittingham may have had the last word with bat, but the Joubert brothers and Nolan Wilde had the final say for us. A very satisfactory afternoon's work.

Sat 24 May 2025 🧢 3rd XIv BC Bapchild CC · HomeformWWLWW

We hosted Bapchild CC on Saturday 24 May, and for once I ought to have brought a decent coin to the toss, because we lost it and were put in the field to start with things the wrong way round — no, wait, they chose to field, so out we went to bat, which as it turned out suited us rather nicely.

Brandon Eloff was in imperious touch, striking a magnificent unbeaten 106, and along the way brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that deserved every one of the cups of tea drunk in his honour. He had fine support from Nick Tromp, whose well-made 65 kept the scoreboard humming, and Michael Ludick, who chipped in a tidy fifty of his own. Forty overs later we'd posted a mighty 347 for 5, the sort of total that makes the tea urn taste that much sweeter.

Defending it, Bapchild never really got going. Lincoln Bryden played a lone hand of real quality with 64, but around him wickets tumbled — Brian Carey, Richard Godfrey and William Roe all back in the pavilion without so much as a run to show for it. John Karassellos was the chief tormentor with 2 for 0, backed up handsomely by Sam King (2-18) and Tim Thirkell (2-23), and Bapchild subsided to 86 for 9 from 24.5 overs.

A win by 261 runs, then — comfortable doesn't quite cover it. With Ludick topping our 3rd XI run charts and Henry Campbell leading the wickets, the season's shaping up nicely. Onwards indeed.

Sat 24 May 2025 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bapchild CC · AwayformWWWLW

Beaten, but not disgraced. We rolled up at Bapchild on a damp, muggy Saturday, lost the toss — of course we did — and were put into the field, which at least meant we got the pleasant part of the afternoon over with early. Bapchild ground their way to 179/4 off their forty, with Christopher Hogg unbeaten on 40 and Alan Hampton (36) and William Surridge (25) chipping in dutifully. Matthew Carter was the pick of our attack by some distance — 2 for 20 with four maidens, tighter than my trouser waistband after tea — while Anthony Karassellos and Alex Wade picked up a wicket apiece for their trouble.

Chasing 180, we made a spirited fist of it. Jordan Austin played the innings of the day, a fine 71, well supported by Will Hughes with 25, but the middle order rather let the side down, with both Richard Piper and Aaron Hughes departing for ducks. All out for 168 in 38.5 overs, we fell 11 runs short — the sort of margin that has you replaying every misjudged single on the drive home.

Elsewhere, the season charts continue to take shape nicely: Luke Welsman still leads the 2nd XI run-scorers with 180, and Matthew Carter tops the wicket pile with seven.

A narrow defeat, honourably earned, and no shame in it. We'll dust ourselves down and come back sharper next week.

Sat 24 May 2025 🧢 1st XIv Addington Village CC · HomeformLWLLW

We hosted Addington Village CC on a damp but pleasant Saturday afternoon, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation sending them in — a decision that looked rather shrewd for a good while. Chris Slater's 37, with tidy support from James Conway (27) and Jack Webb (20), had them purring along nicely before the wheels came off in spectacular fashion: 107 for 6 became 110 for 9 as Reese Thwaites, Jack Sopp and Harri Cobley all trooped back for ducks. Alex Keeler was the chief tormentor with 3 for 32 (two maidens for good measure), backed up handsomely by Mark Christmas (2-15) and Tom Campbell (2-34). All out for 128 in 35.2 overs — a total we fancied our chances of chasing down.

Chasing it, alas, is a different sport to talking about chasing it. Our reply subsided to 83 all out in 27.1 overs, a collapse so dramatic it deserves its own slow-motion replay: 59 for 6 crumbled to 70 for 9 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. Poor Fred Taylor's golden duck rather summed up our afternoon.

Elsewhere in the season, Nick Catt continues to lead the run charts with 195, and Alex Keeler tops the wicket pile with 11 — small mercies amid the wreckage.

A 45-run defeat, then, and no dressing it up: our bowlers did their bit, our batting did not. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sun 18 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv FC Frindsbury CC · AwayformWLLWL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 18 May 2025, away to Frindsbury CC, under grey skies that promised more than they delivered.

We lost the toss, took the field, and watched Fahim Ahmed play the innings of the afternoon — a magnificent 131 that had us chasing shadows. Jordan White's well-made 64 and Simon Coomber's unbeaten 28 kept the scoreboard ticking, with a fifth-wicket stand of 179 doing most of the damage. Brandon Eloff was our shining light with the ball, 3-27 and three maidens to show for his industry, ably backed by Euan Beardwell and Ian Lowe with a wicket apiece. Frindsbury declared themselves content at 277/6.

Chasing 278, we lost our first wicket for just one run and it looked ominous. But Daniel Baker played the anchor beautifully for an unbeaten 59, with Will Thew's 44 and Ian Lowe's unbeaten 25 lending real support, and a defiant last-wicket stand of 77 gave the final total a respectability the middle order hadn't quite earned. Less said the better about Theo Clements and Nolan Wilde's ducks — and as for your skipper, a golden blob that rather proves leading from the front is easier said than done.

There was cheer amid the gloom: Will Thew brought up 7,000 career runs for the club, and his 44 eased him past Stuart Cheesman into 25th on the all-time run-scorers list. Richard Piper continues to lead our 2025 Sunday 2nd XI run charts, with Nolan Wilde second among the wicket-takers.

We fell 93 runs short. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 18 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Newenden CC · HomeformLWWWL

We hosted Newenden CC under grey skies on Sunday, and winning the toss I fancied a bowl first, more hope than science on my part. Mike Bellhouse had other ideas about how the day should go, ghosting past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 68 and anchoring the innings while Finnian Piper (40) and Chirag Patel (25) built around him — the pair adding 103 for the fifth wicket to give Newenden's total real substance. For a while 219 looked a modest underestimate of what was coming, but the floodgates duly opened and they subsided from 205-6 to 219 all out from their 40 overs. Toby Hughes was the chief architect of the collapse with a tidy 2-12, well supported by Thomas Beeney (2-35) and Jordan Austin (1-19).

Chasing 220, we set about it with rather more composure than I can usually claim credit for. James Yeabsley and Tom Brocklehurst departed cheaply enough to keep my nerves jangling, but Jordan Austin played the innings of the day, an excellent 72 built on a stand of 74 for the second wicket, with Toby Hughes (35) and an unbeaten 31 from George Taylor seeing us home in the 39th over on 220-7.

Three wickets, two points, and a thoroughly deserved win — a proper club cricket afternoon, snatched from the jaws of a Newenden total that had every right to worry us.

Sat 17 May 2025 🧢 4th XIv Lordswood CC · HomeformLLLLL

Lordswood came to Linton Park on Saturday and I'll admit I fancied us in the field, so winning the toss and sticking them in felt rather good for the ego at the time. Whether it was foresight or blind luck, the lads made it look right: Lordswood were bowled out for 150 in the 40th over, with Jon Hills giving them something to build round with a fine 64. Srikrishna Challa did the real damage, tearing through with 3-26, while Richard Knowler (2-22, two tidy maidens) and Ian Lowe (2-36) squeezed the middle overs until there was nothing left to squeeze.

Chasing 151 was never going to be a stroll, and so it proved — 34.3 overs of the sort of cricket that keeps blood pressure interesting. Blair Mundell was the rock, unbeaten on 56, with Laurie Probert playing the perfect foil for an unbeaten 26. I contributed a workmanlike 26 of my own, extras chipped in a generous 31, and poor Toby Joseph's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise cheerful scorecard.

Five wickets in hand at the end, and a season ledger that now reads rather nicely too — Mundell out in front with the bat, Challa leading the wickets column. A proper team win, tea was good, and I got to keep my toss-winning reputation intact for another week. Onwards.

Sat 17 May 2025 🧢 2nd XIv FC Frindsbury CC · HomeformLWWWL

As we hosted Frindsbury on a sunshine-and-showers Saturday, I lost the toss again — story of my captaincy career — and we were put in. Not the worst outcome on a track like that, though the umbrella got as much use as the bat. Martin Rivers set the tone with a brisk 38, Will Thew and Will Hughes chipped in with 22 and 20 respectively, and even our extras column fancied a bat, chipping in 28 of the useful sort. All out for 174 off our forty, which felt about par - perhaps a touch light, but defendable if we held our nerve.

Frindsbury certainly gave us a fright. Bailey Driver played a lovely, awkward hand of 52, and with Simon Coomber (39) and Jack Mottram (23) alongside him, that third-wicket stand of 65 had us checking the required run rate rather nervously. But cricket has a way of turning on an afternoon, and ours turned sharply: 143 for 6 became 159 for 9 in the blink of an eye, Anthony Karassellos the chief architect with a superb 3 for 24 (two maidens for good measure), well supported by Alex Wade's 2 for 34 and Tim Thirkell's solitary but important wicket. I even got off the mark myself with a tidy little 22.

A fourteen-run win, then - not comfortable, not pretty, but thoroughly earned. Onwards we go, tea urn refilled and confidence restored.

Sat 17 May 2025 🧢 1st XIv OC Offham CC · AwayformWLWLL

Saturday 17 May, and off we trundled to Offham CC with the sun more or less behaving itself. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — one of those rare occasions where the decision felt right the moment the coin landed. So it proved. Nick Catt played the innings of the day, a fine hundred that formed the spine of our 266/6 from 45 overs, and he found the perfect foil in Tobey Castle, whose 91 kept the scoreboard humming along nicely beside him. Their third-wicket stand of 157 was the making of the innings, and a generous 29 extras from Offham didn't hurt our cause either.

Defending 266 is never a formality, and Offham made us work for every run of it. Neil Scott's 93 and Tom Evans's 66 built a hefty stand of their own — 145 for the third wicket — with Ben Gittings chipping in 23, and for a good while it looked ominous. But Mark Christmas kept plugging away for 3-50, Alex Keeler was miserly in the extreme with 2-29 and three maidens, and Tom Campbell weighed in with 1-34 to keep the finish within reach.

I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction with my own 91 with the bat, though the real story of the day belongs to Jordan Austin, who brought up 8,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth savouring. We scraped home by 3 runs, hearts firmly in mouths. A proper old-fashioned thriller, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 11 May 2025 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformLWWLL

Called it right at the toss on a warm, damp Sunday down at Leeds & Broomfield, and, with the sort of confidence I'd later regret, stuck us in to bat. Eighty-three all out in 20.4 overs is not a total you build a season around. Toby Hughes did his best to give the innings some backbone with a battling 20, but from 54 for 5 to 64 for 8 the middle and lower order rather fell over themselves, and when both Benjamin Austin and George Taylor departed for ducks, I confess I couldn't watch through my fingers any longer.

Defending 83 was always going to require fielding of the highest order and a fair slice of luck, and for a while we had both. Tobey Castle bowled beautifully for 2 for 21, with Sam Boyns (2 for 25) and Joshua Knowler (1 for 31) chipping in, and we even sent Henry Ware back for a duck of his own. Two wickets in the sixth over had us daring to believe. But Max Aitken, with a fine 38 and able support from Monte McCague's 20, saw Leeds & Broomfield home at 85 for 5 in just 12 overs.

Toby Hughes and Sam Boyns now top the Sunday run and wicket charts respectively, small consolation on a day we lost by five wickets. Not our day, lads — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 11 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv GC Gills Green CC · HomeformLWLLW

Sunday 11 May found us hosting Gills Green CC under skies that couldn't decide between warm and wet, which about summed up our fortunes. I lost the toss — again — and they had no hesitation in batting first, leaving us to open with the ball on a drizzly afternoon that never quite committed either way.

What followed was a proper battering. Grant Stephens cashed in with a rapid 77, Darren Velvick chipped in with 41 and Tim Moore added an unbeaten 23 as Gills Green rattled up 230 for 5 from just four overs. Abi Thirkell was our pick of a beleaguered attack with 2-24, well supported by Nolan Wilde's 2-26 and Darrell Houghton-Judge's 1-30, though frankly the bowling figures tell only half the story of an afternoon spent chasing leather. Poor Laurie Probert had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 16 byes going begging.

With the bat we set about the chase with genuine intent. Anthony Karassellos played the innings of the day, 95 full of promise and just short of a hundred, ably backed by Richard Piper's fine 62. Sadly the Duck Club welcomed two new members, Magnus Boxer and Will Hughes both making that grim walk back for nought. We finished on 207 for 6 — brave, but 23 runs light.

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

Sun 11 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Mersham Le Hatch CC · AwayformWLWWW

Sunday 11 May found us on the road to Mersham Le Hatch, the skies drizzly and the coin, for once, cooperating with my plans — down it went, and heads it was, so into the field we went.

And what a shift it turned into. Mersham batted us into the ground, racking up 242/4 from their forty overs, with Ben Edge (91) and Jeremy Godden (62) both compiling well-made fifties while we toiled away, and Thomas Bailey adding an unbeaten 26 for good measure. Credit where it's due — Mardey Castle did the damage with 2-46, Farhan Malik and Ian Hollingworth chipped in a wicket apiece, and Alex Wade bowled two miserly maidens to at least keep the arithmetic honest.

Chasing 243 was always going to want something special, and special it was not. We subsided to 120 all out in 25.4 overs, Toby Joseph's watchful 25 the highlight, ably supported by Ian Bruce's 20, while Aaron Hughes and Ian Lowe both departed for golden ducks. Poor Aaron then had the ignominy of a chastening afternoon behind the stumps too, ten byes leaking through for good measure — not his day either.

Small mercies: Toby now sits third in our 2025 Sunday run charts, and Mardey leads the wickets column. But mercies were thin on the ground otherwise. Beaten by 122 runs, comprehensively out-batted and out-thought. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — there's plenty to work on before next week.

Sat 10 May 2025 🧢 4th XIv Chelsfield CC · AwayformWLLLL

Saturday 10th of May found us at Chelsfield CC on a pleasant, bright afternoon — the sort of day that promises much and, on this occasion, delivered rather more to our hosts than to us. The toss went against us, we were put in the field, and by the close of their forty overs Chelsfield had racked up a formidable 233 for 5. Bala Mohan led the charge with 52 not out, including a straight six back down the ground that had us all admiring the shot even as we dreaded its consequences, well supported by Karthick Balasubramanian (48) and Bharath Chandrasekaran (44 not out) after their openers had put on a chastening 107 for the first wicket. Credit where due — Joel Attwood bowled tidily for 2-33, with Ian Bruce and Srikrishna Challa chipping in a wicket apiece — but too many of our 20 wides and 2 no-balls kept the scoreboard ticking when it needn't have.

Chasing 234, we never quite got going, bowled out for 148 in 37.5 overs. Ian Bruce top-scored with a plucky 23, Blair Mundell weighed in with 21, and the extras column — a generous 41 — very nearly outscored our top order, which tells its own story. Rahul Parakh, Nolan Wilde and Joel Attwood all took the long walk back for ducks, and the Duck Club ledger swells once more.

Down by 85 runs, then, and no dressing it up — not our day. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Sat 10 May 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Dartford CC · HomeformWWWLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 10th May, and a proper afternoon of sunshine cricket at home to Dartford CC. The coin obliged, I called correctly, and with barely a moment's deliberation I put us in. It's the sort of decision that can make a captain look either a genius or a fool by teatime, and I'm relieved to report it was very much the former.

What followed was as handsome a batting display as this scorer has had the pleasure of recording. Altus Diener made merry with a magnificent 122, and not to be outdone, Michael Ludick matched him stroke for stroke with an unbeaten 122 of his own — two centuries in the same innings is the sort of thing that usually only happens in other people's fixtures. Martin Rivers chipped in with a brisk 47, and by the time we'd finished our forty overs we'd posted a mighty 357/4. Frankly, I began wondering whether we ought to declare the tea urn redundant and just hand Dartford the scorebook.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it largely proved, though we did our level best to make life difficult for ourselves. Ruthvik Kajuluri (40), Jack Parker (36) and Bhaskar Kajuluri (34) gave Dartford's innings some respectability, but Michael Ludick — evidently not content with his century — took 2-30 with the ball too, well backed by Tim Thirkell (2-40) and Henry Campbell (2-45), and they were bowled out for 231. We were, it must be said, generous to a fault in the field, gifting 19 wides and 6 no-balls that no captain enjoys explaining afterwards.

Margin: 126 runs. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a rare day when everything — bar our discipline with the ball — went entirely to plan.

Sat 10 May 2025 🧢 2nd XIv HC Holborough Anchorians CC · AwayformWLWWW

Saturday 10 May 2025, and we rocked up to Holborough Anchorians CC under a sky doing its best impression of an English summer — warm, bright, and altogether too pleasant for what followed. I lost the toss (a coin that has developed a personal vendetta against me this season) and we were put into the field.

Credit where it's due: we bowled tidily. Inus Joubert was magnificent, ripping through them with 4-15, with Matthew Carter (3-19) and Martin Harris (2-30) tidying up around him — and I even managed to grab three myself, which I shall be mentioning at every club dinner for the foreseeable. Suhail Akram, Nabeel Hussain and Mohammad Khan all departed without troubling the scorers, but Nassar Raja (32), Ibrahim Khan (32) and Rob Howard (30) had other ideas, dragging the Anchorians to 156 all out in 39.1 overs — a total that felt distinctly beatable.

It wasn't. Our reply folded to 91 all out in under 26 overs, saved from complete embarrassment only by Luke Welsman, whose unbeaten 57 was a lone beacon of sense amid the chaos. Richard Piper, Alex Wade and Anthony Karassellos all bagged ducks, and eight byes off poor Aaron Hughes told their own sorry tale behind the stumps.

Beaten by 65 runs, then, and no arguing with it. Welsman continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts and Carter sits second among the wicket-takers — small mercies. The rest of us: heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 10 May 2025 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformLWLWL

Lost the toss on a pleasant, clear Saturday at home to Mersham Sports CC, and as ever they had the decency to bowl first while we fielded — which, on reflection, may have been the only sensible decision either side made all afternoon. Mersham built steadily through Kyle McAlister's fifty and useful contributions from Ashley Cook (44) and David Harman (39), the openers laying a platform of 73 for the first wicket before we finally prised them apart. Credit where due: Alex Keeler was magnificent with the ball, ripping through them for 4-9, with Thomas Beeney (2-29) and Tom Campbell (2-45) chipping in as Mersham subsided from a healthy 199-7 to 206 all out — Anand Nagabhushana bagging a duck along the way, for those keeping the ledger.

Chasing 207, we never quite found our rhythm, losing an early wicket with just 3 on the board. Toby Hughes battled to 33, ably supported by Nick Catt (29) and Alex Keeler (26), but 185 all out from 41 overs left us 21 runs short. Tobey Castle joined the Duck Club, and I confess your captain did too — the less said the better. A proud note amid the gloom: Thomas Roxburgh brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a fine achievement whatever the scoreboard said. Alex Keeler and Thomas Beeney continue to lead our season's run and wicket charts respectively.

Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets.

Mon 05 May 2025 🧢 Friendly XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWWWL

Rain threatened but Rumwood didn't, and having lost the toss on Bank Holiday Monday we were duly sent out to field first — never the tonic for a man still nursing his second cup of tea. Brandon Eloff set about repairing team morale with a crisp 64, and Ian Bruce played the perfect straight man alongside him with an unbeaten 51, the pair doing the heavy lifting while Nolan Wilde chipped in a useful 24. Poor Nick Tromp, though, will want this scorecard burned before anyone frames it — a golden duck to remember, or rather forget. Still, 218/7 from our 34 overs felt like a total with a bit of bite to it.

Alas, bite it did not. Nick Catt simply decided the bowling attack wasn't his concern and ground out a magnificent unbeaten 134, ably assisted by Jordan Austin (35) and Ben Austin (22), as Rumwood cantered to 221/2 with overs to spare. Mark Christmas toiled manfully for 1-19 and Nick Tromp, redeeming himself with the ball if not the bat, took 1-23. Twelve byes stand as a silent, damning verdict on Martin Rivers's afternoon behind the stumps — these things happen to the best of us, Martin, chin up.

So it's an early-season loss, by seven wickets, and a reminder that cricket has a cruel sense of humour. Eloff tops our run charts and Tromp our wicket-takers — for now. Heads up, lads: back to the nets, and let's leave the byes there too.

Sun 04 May 2025 🧢 Twenty20v Bexleyheath CC · HomeformWLWWW

As I always say, winning the toss is only half the job — but electing to field on a bright Sunday against Bexleyheath CC felt like the right call at the time. It rather stayed that way too, for a while: an early breakthrough with just 6 on the board had us purring, but George Gann (45) and Sam Mclaren-George (31) put together a stand of 66 for the fourth wicket that dragged the game away from us, with Ciaran Smyth (29 not out) finishing things off in style. Toby Hughes was the pick of our attack with 1-15, and Fred Taylor and George Taylor chipped in a wicket apiece, but 173/4 from 20 overs was always going to take some chasing.

And chase we did, gamely, for a while. Tobey Castle played the innings of the day with 39, well supported by Thomas Roxburgh's 27, and for a spell it looked like a contest. But cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and ours arrived in the second over, where we shed two wickets in a hurry and never quite recovered our poise. The tail went from 124-7 to all out for 130 in the blink of an eye, and poor Joshua Knowler will want to forget his duck sooner rather than later.

Beaten by 43 runs, then, and no arguing with the margin. Tobey Castle's 39 keeps him top of our T20 run charts this season, and Tom Campbell leads the wickets — small crumbs, but crumbs nonetheless. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sun 04 May 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Addington Village CC · HomeformWLWLL

Farhan Malik led the attack once again with a splendid 3-25, backed up nicely by Alex Wade and Martin Harris, both 2-16, as we bowled Addington Village out for a modest 129 in 39.2 overs. Ryan Lucas gave us the biggest headache with a well-made 49, and got useful support from Rob Goss (22) and Liam Burnop (20), but the rest of the order came and went, with poor Peter Cavender managing the rarest of feats — out without so much as a single run to his name. A cool, showery afternoon, and losing the toss did us no favours, but the lads stuck to their task in the field and kept things tight throughout.

Chasing 130, it was Theo Clements who did the heavy lifting, cruising past his fifty and finishing on 59, with Thomas Beeney (29) and Johan Eloff (23) chipping in handsomely to keep the required rate under control. Not every man in the middle covered himself in glory, mind — John Karassellos endured his own walk of shame, back in the pavilion for nought before he'd had time to take guard properly. Between the showers and the nerves, 24.4 overs felt like rather a long time to get over the line.

Still, five wickets in hand at the finish is five wickets in hand, and a win is a win. Theo now sits proudly atop the Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Farhan is up among the wickets too — form the club will be delighted to see continue. All in all, a thoroughly good day out, showers and all.

Sat 03 May 2025 🧢 2nd XIv OC Old Colfeians CC · HomeformWWLWW

Old Colfeians arrived on a bright May afternoon, I called correctly and, in a fit of confidence, stuck us in the field. For a while it looked a reasonable punt: their innings crawled to 166/9 off the full forty, Chitrang Jindal doing the honest graft with an unbeaten 32 and Faruk Patel chipping in with 20. Ethan Joubert was magnificent with the ball, ripping through the middle order for 3-19, with Matthew Carter (2-13) and Anthony Karassellos (1-20) tidying up either end, and Sam King bowling two maidens as if runs were a personal insult.

Chasing 167, we made light work of it — 167/3 in just 23.1 overs, which for a side that usually manufactures its own drama was almost suspiciously calm. Luke Welsman batted like a man with a train to catch, unbeaten on 72, while Jordan Austin played the perfect foil with a classy 52. I contributed 16, which I shall generously describe as "supporting the platform" rather than "watching from the other end."

Welsman now sits proudly atop the 2nd XI run charts with 110 for the season, and Ian Hollingworth's four wickets keep him handily placed in the bowling table — both men earning their tea rather more than I earned mine.

A fine win by seven wickets, then, and proof that occasionally the toss, the bowlers and the top order all conspire to make the captain look cleverer than he is. Onwards.

Sat 03 May 2025 🧢 4th XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformWLLL

We were away to Yalding CC on Saturday 3rd May, and I won the toss with what passed for a decisive brain in my head — a good pitch to bowl first on, or so I told myself. In it went, and the lads made me look reasonably clever for a while. Tim Thirkell was magnificent, 3-26, with Reuben Mundell and Josh Gurney chipping away either side of him and Ian Lowe bowling three maidens as if the runs offended him personally. Yalding still ground us down to 173/5 off their 35, Daniel Ralph and Alex Mead each compiling unbeaten half-centuries, Jack Nyren adding 34 not out, while Edward Mead departed for a duck at our hands — small mercies.

Chasing 174, we never quite got the platform I'd have liked. Blair Mundell was the innings, 59 not out and past his fifty in style, Laurie Probert (30 not out) and Srikrishna Challa (28) lending proper support, and 25 extras doing their bit too. I contributed a workmanlike 30 myself, though three ducks on the card — Daniel Baker, Josh Gurney and Thomas Mundell — reminded us this game has a cruel streak. We fell agonisingly short on 170/7.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Tim's three wickets carried him past Alan Wilkes into 8th on the club's all-time list, and he now leads our 2025 wicket charts as Blair leads the run charts. Beaten by just 3 runs in the end — heartbreaking, but the kind of defeat that promises better days ahead. We'll be sharper next week.

Sat 03 May 2025 🧢 3rd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWWWL

Saturday, 03 May 2025, and Bearsted CC rolled up to Linton Park under skies that couldn't decide whether they were sulking or celebrating — a fine drizzly afternoon for cricket, as only England can produce. Won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, stuck us in to bat first.

What followed was as good an afternoon with the willow as I can remember. Altus Diener played an innings of real class, unbeaten on a magnificent 101, while Michael Ludick cracked on to 92, and Laura Boorman chipped in with 49 not out to help us to a formidable 317/4 off our forty. I confess I rather enjoyed watching that total go up from the comfort of the boundary rope.

In the field, Bearsted gave it a proper go — Tim Lush (56 not out) and Nigel Baker (54 not out) both raised fifties, with Angus Kenny's 32 adding some early impetus, but 186/3 was never going to be enough. Henry Campbell was superb with the ball, 1-18 including three tidy maidens, well backed up by Abi Thirkell (1-25) and John Karassellos (1-36), while poor James Tank departed for a golden duck. Laura Thorogood had her work cut out behind the stumps, nine byes the only blemish on an otherwise cheerful day.

The real story, though, was Nick Tromp bringing up 1,000 career runs for the club — thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted in the bar afterwards. A 131-run win, and a very good day indeed.

Sat 03 May 2025 🧢 1st XIv Tonbridge CC · AwayformLLWLW

Down at Tonbridge on Saturday, I did the traditional thing and stuck us in on winning the toss – whether that was captaincy or self-sabotage, read on and judge for yourself. We limped to 137 all out in 37.3 overs, rescued largely by Tobey Castle's watchful 28 and, rather tellingly, a healthy 25 in extras – proof that our best partnership all day was with the Tonbridge bowlers' line and length. Less said the better about Joshua Knowler and Thomas Beeney's twin ducks, though I'm assured the walk back was performed with dignity, if not much else.

Defending 137 always felt like asking the lads to bail out a rowing boat with a teacup, but for a while it looked like they might manage it. Chirag Patel's 30 anchored the chase, with Mike Jessop (24 not out) and Mark Stokes (22) doing the damage, and that stubborn unbeaten stand of 50 for the sixth wicket was where the game slipped away from us. Fred Taylor was superb throughout – 2 for 15 with three maidens, not a run given away lightly – and George Taylor and Thomas Beeney chipped in admirably alongside him. I managed 28 with the bat for what it was worth.

One shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Thomas Beeney brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark far outlasting most of our top-order partnerships. Alex Keeler and Beeney continue to lead the run and wicket charts respectively, so the season's not without its bright sparks. Verdict: beaten by four wickets, heads down, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 27 Apr 2025 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv WC Wickham Park CC · HomeformLWLWL

Wickham Park CC visited on Sunday 27th April, and winning the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does with a sunny morning and a nagging sense of optimism — I stuck them in.

For a while it looked shrewd. Then Tim Thirkell got hold of one and simply refused to give it back, compiling a fine 53 while Daprin N (32) and Deepan Thangavel (20) tidied up around him. Our attack wasn't without its moments, mind — Thirkell himself struck with the ball for 3-38, with Nick Catt (2-18) and Zach Wilde (2-32) chipping in nicely, and there was a small measure of poetic justice when Thirkell, having done us plenty of damage with the bat, walked back for a golden duck at our hands. Small mercies.

Our reply, sadly, will not be troubling the highlights reel. We folded for not very much at all, William Gray leading the retreat with a nought that had him back in the pavilion before his tea had gone cold — the Duck Club ledger duly updated. Richard Piper continues to top our Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 14 for the season, and Thirkell, insultingly, now leads our wicket charts too on the back of today's spoils against us.

Beaten by 110 runs, then, and no amount of spin from your captain will dress that up as anything but a proper hiding. Character-building stuff — we'll regroup, dust off the whites, and fancy our chances rather more next week.

Sun 27 Apr 2025 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Cowdrey CC · HomeformLWLWW

We hosted Cowdrey CC on a pleasant, cloudy Sunday afternoon, and true to form I lost the toss – they had first use of the bat, we had first use of the ball, and honours were roughly even by the time the tea urn came out.

Cowdrey were dismissed for 165, built largely around Luke Lawrence's fine 70, with Nico Van Der Colff (31) and Lucas Parkinson (20) offering support and a third-wicket stand of 68 giving the innings its shape. Credit to the lads for the squeeze at the death – 150 for 6 became 161 for 9 as the lower order found scoring beyond them entirely, with three ducks in the book. Martin Harris was superb, 3 for 5 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, while Thomas Beeney (2-32) and Ian Hollingworth (2-42) chipped in nicely.

In reply we crawled, staggered and eventually stumbled to 166 for 6. Will Thew (63) and Benjamin Austin (58) did the heavy lifting with a stand of 87, and for a while it looked serene – until 157 for 3 became 163 for 6 in the time it takes to pour a shandy, Anthony Karassellos among the fallen for nought. Fortunately I found some form with the ball earlier, taking 3 wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the rest of the season.

We scraped home by 4 wickets. Untidy, occasionally alarming, thoroughly typical – but a win is a win, and a very good day for the club.

Sat 26 Apr 2025 🧢 4th XIv Town Malling CC · AwayformWLL

Fixed the toss again — or rather, lost it, which these days feels traditional. Town Malling chose to bat, and by the time the dust settled they'd rattled up 189/3 from their thirty overs, built on a first-wicket stand of 80 that had us chasing shadows before we'd found our line. Harry Kemsley made us pay for every misfield with a chanceless-looking century, well supported by Sam Eyre's 36. Credit where due, though: Reuben Mundell (1-20), William Gray (1-24) and Thomas Mundell (1-33) all found the breakthroughs that stopped a good score becoming a ruinous one.

Chasing 190, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening. Joel Attwood batted with real composure for his unbeaten 39, and Reuben Mundell chipped in nicely with 28, the two combining in a sixth-wicket stand of 72 that was, frankly, the only period of the innings where we looked like a batting side rather than a collection of men waiting for their turn to get out. We closed on 135/7 — some way shy, and 54 runs the wrong side of the result. Thomas Mundell, for his sins, contributed a golden duck to proceedings, which the Duck Club minutes will record with the solemnity it deserves.

So, an honest defeat rather than a chastening one. Kemsley's ton was always going to be hard to chase down on that ground, and the lads didn't disgrace themselves in trying. Attwood leads our run charts, Mundell our wickets — early season bragging rights, at least. Back to the nets, heads up, and onwards.

Sat 26 Apr 2025 🧢 3rd XIv FC Faversham CC · AwayformLWWWW

Rarely have I seen the toss lost with such consequence. Faversham asked us to field first on a pleasant, overcast afternoon at their place, and duly piled up 208 all out in 37.2 overs, with Charles Osborn stroking a fine 72 and getting stout support from Samuel Fruin (31) and Tom Harris (31). We did have our moments — Rahul Parakh bowled beautifully for 2-17, with Noah Stevens (2-19) and Nolan Wilde (2-42) chipping in, and Chris Baldock was despatched for a golden duck without so much as troubling the scorers. But 23 wides and no-balls off our own bowling rather undid the good work; too many freebies dished up on a plate.

Chasing 209, we never quite got going, subsiding to 135/9 from our 40 overs. Rahul Parakh, having done the damage with ball in hand, top-scored again with 39, and Laura Thorogood chipped in a battling 25. Jonathan Sisley's golden duck completed a personal pair for the family of ducks on display, and it was left to the extras column (27) to be our second-highest scorer — never a healthy sign.

Amid the gloom, one shaft of sunlight: Tim Thirkell brought up 14,000 career runs for the club, a magnificent landmark and thoroughly deserved. Martin Rivers continues to sit second in the 3rd XI run charts, and Nolan Wilde leads the wicket-takers.

The verdict: beaten by 73 runs, undone by our own generosity with the ball as much as anything Faversham did. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sat 26 Apr 2025 🧢 1st XIv RC Rodmersham CC · HomeformWLLWL

Saturday last, we welcomed Rodmersham CC to Linton Park under a sky that couldn't decide whether it was English cricket weather or just English weather. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in bowling myself into the deep chair and sending us in to bat — and for once the captain's coin call looked positively inspired.

Alex Keeler set about the Rodmersham attack with real purpose, cruising to 78, while George Taylor kept him honest company with a handsome 72, and Nick Catt weighed in with 40 of his own. Between Keeler and Taylor the fifth-wicket stand ballooned to 144 — the kind of partnership that has the tea urn boiling with excitement in the pavilion — and we declared our innings closed, so to speak, at a formidable 277/6 from our 45 overs.

Defending that sort of total should be the easy part, and so it proved, even if we did our level best to make it interesting. Rodmersham never threatened, with only Amir Iqbal's 29 offering any real resistance, and we bowled them out for 131, sliding from 95-6 to 107-9 in the blink of an eye. Thomas Beeney was the pick of the attack with 3-38, well supported by Joshua Knowler's tidy 2-17 (two maidens, no less) and Tom Campbell's 2-20. We were, admittedly, generous to a fault in the field — 19 wides and 3 no-balls is not the mark of a disciplined outfit — and my own contribution with the bat, 16, will not trouble the record books.

Still, a 146-run victory papers over most cracks. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 26 Apr 2025 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWWLW

Saturday's fixture against Headcorn CC had all the makings of a long afternoon after we lost the toss and were sent out to field — never the tonic a captain wants before his tea's even gone cold. Headcorn ground their way to 167 all out in 39.1 overs, built on a stubborn 117-run stand for the second wicket, but Darrell Houghton-Judge had other ideas, spinning a web through their middle and lower order for a jaw-dropping 5-13 as they subsided from a promising 159-3 to 167-6. Mardey Castle and Praveen Tunga chipped in dutifully alongside him, with Mardey tying things down further with two maidens for good measure.

Chasing 168, we set about it in fits and starts, losing Paul Millen without so much as a whimper — the good captain notes his duck with the required amount of affectionate mockery — before Darrell Houghton-Judge, not content with terrorising them with the ball, strode out and struck an unbeaten 62 to steady the ship. Will Thew's 28 kept the scoreboard honest, and I managed to scratch together 28 of my own, more through will than technique.

We limped, staggered and finally stumbled over the line at 171/8 in 35.4 overs, sealing it by the barest of margins — two wickets. A proper cricketing rollercoaster, held together at both ends by one man's remarkable all-round afternoon. Onwards indeed.

Sat 19 Apr 2025 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWLLW

Called it right at the toss on a fresh April Saturday down at Bearsted and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first. Wish I could say we made it count in style. An early wobble at 0-1 threatened to set the tone, but Benjamin Austin steadied things in style, cracking a fine 67, with Alex Keeler's well-made 51 and Thomas Roxburgh's 32 building a proper platform via that 65-run third-wicket stand. Then, as is our custom, we contrived to make life difficult for ourselves: 146-4 became 159-7 before you could say "cream tea," with Tobey Castle, George Taylor and Mark Christmas all shouldering arms to the dreaded duck. 190/9 from our 40 overs felt about 20 short of where we should have been.

With the ball, Bearsted's Bedwell (38), Hodges (36) and the unbeaten Pearce (32) made it look rather too straightforward, helping themselves square of the wicket while we dropped short all afternoon. Mark Christmas did his bit up front (1-12), with Alex Keeler and Mardey Castle chipping in, the latter's two maidens a rare patch of discipline. A calamitous 40th over cost us two wickets and any lingering hope.

As for your correspondent, I contributed a golden duck of my own — the less written on that, the better. One shaft of sunshine: Tobey Castle brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark none of our fielding could quite honour. Beaten by five wickets. Not our day. Nets await.

Sat 19 Apr 2025 🧢 3rd XIv BC Brasted Chart and Toys Hill CC · AwayformLLWWW

Saturday 19 April saw us pack the kit bags for Brasted Chart and Toys Hill, greeted by that particularly English combination of drizzle and warmth that makes you wonder whether to wear a jumper or not. The toss went against us — it usually does — and we were asked to bat first on a damp but perfectly good afternoon for it.

And bat we did. Michael Ludick and the top order set about proving the openers still know how to open, putting on 60 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorer with a dismissal. Ludick went on to a fine half-century, well supported by Martin Rivers (41) and Ian Bruce (32), as we rattled along to 215 all out in 34.4 overs — briskly enough to suggest someone had a tea urn waiting. Spare a thought, though, for Daniel Baker and Praveen Tunga, both undone for nought and duly inducted into the Duck Club.

In the field, Brasted Chart threatened to chase us down, with Russell Thomas compiling a classy 55 and finding support from Jon Garrard (31) and Paul Garrett (26) in a stand of 69. But Altus Diener (2-10) kept the pressure on, backed up by Euan Beardwell and Baker with a wicket apiece, and Praveen Tunga bowled two tidy maidens to choke the run rate. Martin Rivers had a torrid time behind the stumps — 13 byes is not for the faint-hearted — but no matter.

We held our nerve to win by 12 runs. A scrappy, generous, thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's cricket — and a very good day for the club.

Sat 19 Apr 2025 🧢 2nd XIv MC Minster (Sheppey) CC · AwayformWWWWL

Skipper's Log, Saturday 19 April 2025. We made the trip down to Minster (Sheppey) CC on a pleasant, showery afternoon, and when the coin landed my way there was really only one call to make — have a bat and see what the pitch had to say for itself.

What followed was a proper little rebuild of club pride. We got to 197 all out from 39.4 overs, with Alex Wade playing the innings of the day — a fine 72 — while Luke Welsman chipped in a very handy 37 and Theo Clements 20. Not a total to frighten the neighbours, perhaps, but enough runs on the board to make a captain feel he'd done his job by lunchtime, or whatever passes for lunchtime on a showery Saturday.

Then came the fun part. Sam King ran through the top order like a man late for his tea, finishing with 3-8, with Ian Hollingworth (3-9) and the miserly Ian Lowe (2-0, two maidens and not a run given away lightly) offering superb support. Tyler Castle, Sam Manser and Jenson Beever all departed for ducks, and the whole Minster innings folded for 32 in just 15.3 overs.

A 165-run win, and Alex Wade and Sam King now sit atop the 2nd XI's run and wicket charts respectively. A very good day for the club indeed — the sort of afternoon that makes the showers entirely forgivable.

Sun 09 Feb 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv SC Sidcup CC · AwayformWW

Beaten by 72, but let's not bury the good bits along the way. Winning the toss and sticking Sidcup in felt like the right call at the time — and for eleven overs it looked like genius, before Isobel "Izzy" Regan decided otherwise, making the runs that mattered on her way to 25, with Bhavika Sevani ticking along unbeaten on 24 to help post 291/3 from their twelve overs. That is, in the parlance of our sport, rather a lot.

Laura Holdstock, leading the wicket charts as she is with some justification, did what damage could be done with 2-20, and Abi Thirkell chipped in gamely with 1-19 — between them keeping the total from becoming entirely embarrassing rather than merely very challenging indeed.

Chasing 292 in twelve overs was always going to want something special, and the girls gave it a proper go, racing to 239/7 in reply — no shortage of intent, just not quite enough of it. Seventy-two runs short in the end, which on this surface, in this format, is the difference between a canter and a sprint that started a fraction too late.

So: beaten, not disgraced. Sidcup were the better side on the day, but there's plenty in this Linton Park side — with Laura Boorman still purring along at the top of the run charts and Holdstock among the wickets — to suggest we'll have our day again soon. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 02 Feb 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Dartford CC · AwayformW

Apologies — that tool call was a slip and not relevant here. Here's the match report:

Sunday saw us take the road to Dartford, and I'll admit that winning the toss and sticking us in the field felt like the sort of decision I'd normally lie awake fretting over. Not this time. It was, if I say so myself, the right call.

Dartford were given a proper working over, restricted to a modest 59 for the loss of 13 wickets from their 12 overs. Nicola Coomansingh was simply unplayable, running through the order to finish with 5-11, while Laura Holdstock (3-14) and Michaela Karassellos (2-10) mopped up the rest with efficient good humour. There can't have been much fun to be had batting against that lot.

With 59 to chase down ourselves, we made rather light work of it, racing to 127 for 3 in our 12 overs. Laura Boorman was the star of the show, striking an unbeaten 45 and looking thoroughly in charge throughout, well supported by Claire Rootes's composed 20 not out. I contributed 45 myself, which I mention only in the interests of accurate record-keeping and not at all because I'm rather pleased about it.

With Boorman now leading the season's run charts on 105 and Coomansingh topping the wicket-takers with 7, the signs for the rest of the summer look thoroughly promising. We ran out winners by 118 runs — a proper thumping, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 19 Jan 2025 🧢 Women's Softballv Shoreham & Otford CC · Homeform—

Sunday 19 January saw Shoreham & Otford CC roll up for what turned out to be a rather one-sided afternoon, though nobody would have guessed it from the coin toss. I called correctly, put us in the field, and the girls repaid my confidence in style. Laura Boorman was simply unplayable, ripping through the visitors' order with figures of 4-9, while Laura Holdstock (2-7) and Nicola Coomansingh (1-10) tidied up what was left. Shoreham & Otford limped to 38/7 from their twelve overs, and I daresay a few of them were already thinking about the tea urn by the halfway mark.

Chasing 39 with something to spare, we made an absolute meal of it in the best possible way — 141/3 from our twelve overs, a total that flattered our little corner of the ground. Claire Rootes was serenity itself, unbeaten on 25, with Laura Boorman (22 not out, presumably still buzzing from her bowling) and Rachel Sands (20 not out) keeping her company. A generous 48 extras arrived from goodness knows where, and I contributed a modest 20 of my own, mostly by getting out of the way of better players.

A 123-run win, then, and Claire and Laura now sit atop the season's run and wicket charts respectively — early bragging rights, thoroughly deserved. If this is the standard for 2025, Shoreham & Otford were simply first through the door. Onwards indeed.