Exiles were narrowly beaten for the first time in 2024 – by 8 runs by Kings Road.

Exiles bowlers started well and had Kings Road 51 for 5 – with 3 wickets for Naren – before a restorative partnership of 143 for the 6th wicket put Kings Road in the ascendancy. A late flourish of wickets saw Kings Road bowled out for 207 with 3 wickets for Shahid and Siyar.

Exiles lost 2 wickets early in reply before a typically belligerent fifty from Shahid brought the Exiles into the game. Thereafter it was left to KK (68) and Siyar (36) to put on a partnership of 92 but unfortunately at not quite a quick enough rate as the Exiles fell 8 runs short.

A tight defeat in an excellent game. Merton next week at The John Innes Rec.