Chris Plume (63no) and Andy Wingfield (59, finally) hit maiden Exiles fifties but it wasn’t enough to save the Exiles from defeat on their opening game of the 2014 season at the lovely surrounds of Spencer Cricket Club.

On losing the toss, Exiles – featuring a much-changed side featuring 4 debutants – worked hard with the ball and in the field, but solid batting from Spencer saw them reach 211 for 4 off 40 overs, with only Phil Ling (2 for 36) having much joy for the Exiles attack.

The Exiles reply started poorly with 5 of the top 6 out for single figures as they slumped to 58 for 5, but Wingfield hit a 27 ball fifty – with 4 sixes – in a partnership of 79 with Plume – who reached his own 50 off 84 balls, and ended up carrying his bat throughout the Exiles innings.

When Wingfield was finally caught, the Exiles innings subsided, and a 45 run defeat eventually ensued, with the expected fireworks from Ling (2 off 13 balls) not materialising.

Cypos at DunDonald is up next week.