Exiles beat Royal Ascot by 40 runs to finally pick up their first win of the 2014 season, inspired by Bernard Leuvennink.

On winning the toss, Exiles batted and Chris Plume (33) and Will Kent (58) put on a solid 68 for the first wicket to set a good platform, but quick wickets saw the Exiles slip to 139 for 5 before a fine partnership of 65 between Leuvennink (69*) and Simon Gundry (19*) saw the Exiles finish well – scoring exactly 100 off the last 10 overs, Leuvennink hitting 4 sixes in a 37 ball maiden Exiles half-century.

Andy Wingfield (2 for 14) and Gundry (2 for 25) put pressure on the Royal Ascot batters from the off, but a partnership of 95 for the 3rd wicket put the home side right back in the game. But once the returning Wingfield broke the partnership, Exiles regularly picked up wickets, with golden-arm Leuvennink picking up 3 quick wickets at the death as Ascot were strangled, finishing on 164 for 8.

A morale-boosting win. Surbiton are next up at DunDonald Rec.