Exiles were beaten by 23 runs by Merton cricket club on Sunday. With several notable faces absent, it was a much-changed Merton team to recent years that the Exiles faced, but the opposition still proved a tough nut to crack.

Exiles won the toss and elected to bowl in damp conditions, but the sun soon came out – and the Merton batsmen rode their luck to reach 239 for 2 from their 40, with one opener hitting 98 and the no’s 2 and 3 both passing 50. Exiles dropped numerous catches – of varying difficulty – but to have 5 frontline bowlers in Wingfield, Alam, Gundry, Ling & Islam all wicketless was somewhat of a surprise.

Mark Bradshaw lead the response hitting a 61 ball 50 on the way to 69. In fact Mark scored 50 of the first Exiles 63 runs, but when he was out with Exiles 120/5 with 11 overs to go the game seemed up. And it ultimately was, but Islam and Wingfield merrily hit a partnership of 71 in 8 overs to give Exiles a late sniff, but it was too little too late.

A good game which Exiles, apart from the catching, played better than the scores suggest.

Next up is a trip to North London to play Old Merchant Taylors.