Exiles were inspired by a superb captains knock from Chris Plume of 87 not out, before, following a sharp downpour over tea, the Exiles bowlers completed a 76 run win.

Plume and Craig Williams (29) added a fluent 64 for the first wicket, before a mini-collapse saw the Exiles slip to 73 for 4. Bernard Leuvennink (42) then joined Plume in a partnership of 84 to put the Exiles back on the front foot, on their way to 185 for 7 off their 40 overs.

Following heavy rain at tea, Andy Wingfield (3 for 17) and Phil Chamberlain started steadily for the Exiles with Wingfield picking up an early wicket and Chamberlain unlucky. However it was first change bowlers Phil Ling (an incredible spell of 8-7-2-1) and Steve Parkinson (2 for 17) who won the game for the Exiles with a highly-restricting double-act, with Ling in particular bowling 7 maidens on his way to the joint most economical 8 over spell in Exiles history, as the now two-paced pitch proved perfectly to his liking.

All that was left was for Plume (1 for 11), Leuvennink (2 for 37) and Wingfield to administer the last rites as the Exiles were comfortable winners. In hind sight, the shower at tea had made the pitch significantly more difficult to bat on.

This was nevertheless a fine Exiles win and many congratulations for Plume and Ling on their fine respective performances. Exiles make a long-awaited return to Chiswick next week for the re-match with Whalers.