Exiles started the 2019 season with a fine 67 run win against Clapham Nomads in a match played at Spencer’s ground at Earlsfield.

New skipper Bernard Leuvennink won the toss and chose to bat and soon saw his decision vindicated as the Exiles piled up 202 for 5 off their 35 overs, with Leuvennink (39) setting the early pace, before a superb 65 off 52 balls – including 5 sixes – from Bilal Musakhel accelerated the Exiles to a score which was probably about 30 runs above par.

Miserly spells from openers Jibran Ahmed and Naren Patel heavily restricted the pace of the Nomads response, but it was Andy Wingfield (4 for 23) who struck the decisive blow with 2 wickets in an over – both caught down the leg side.

From there on there was only one winner as Nomads batted out to 135 for 8. Unabombers at Nursery Road next week.