Exiles match against Streatham & Marlborough on Sunday at Dundonald Rec was bubbling along nicely only to be ruined by two heavy thunderstorms which ultimately ended proceedings.

Exiles batted first and had faced 2 overs when the first storm arrived and once play resumed about an hour later, another 10 overs were possible before a second storm rendered the pitch too wet to continue with the game, so an early trip to the pub was agreed.

Exiles had reached 68 for 3 when play was abandoned, with Darwin looking in good touch for 24no.

Back to Chiswick next week to face the Whalers.

A stunning performance from Asad Khan took Exiles to an excellent 51 run victory over new opponents Gladiators CC on Sunday at Joseph Hood Rec.

Exiles batted first as is customary and despite some early boundaries from Asad, Exiles lost wickets at the other end and were soon 67 for 4, before Asad finally found an able ally in KK (47) who played the support role in a stunning partnership of 141.

When Asad was finally dismissed – having scored 139 out of the teams 208 at the time, the rest of the innings subsided pretty quickly to 232 all out, 2 balls short of the 40, KK falling just short of a fifty.

Naren struck in the first over in reply and soon took a second wicket – taking him to 397 career Exiles wickets – and with an early strike also for Nadeem, Gladiators were in early trouble at 23 for 3.

However contributions from the numbers 4 and 5 in particular, with support from the rest of the Gladiators line up, kept the Exiles honest, but 3 wickets for Shahid (3 for 36), two more from Nadeem (3 for 31) the Exiles kept chipping away and it was left to Asad – who else – to wrap up the win with 2 wickets in 5 balls.

Gladiators 181 all out, giving the Exiles the win by 51 runs. Fixture next Sunday is tbc.

Exiles got back to winning ways with a hard fought 15 runs win over Karnataka at Dundonald Rec on Sunday.

Batting first in hot conditions, Exiles lost wickets at regular intervals and were precariously placed at 129 for 7 before a fine recovery, anchored by Hasan with 62, powered by a rapid 36 from Ghulam and a critical last wicket partnership of 35 between Phil and John. Exiles closed on 245 for 9 from their full 40 overs.

Exiles also picked up regular wickets in response, with 2 each for Nadeem, Shahid, KK and Phil but the game was never safe until the final ball was bowled, Karnataka finishing just 15 runs short. Exiles only conceding 25 extras having been given 44 when they batted was also a key factor.

Ploughman’s at Joseph Hood rec next Sunday.

Exiles were beaten by 4 wickets in a well contested battle by Kings Road CC by 4 wickets at Dundonald Rec on Sunday.

Following heavy rain the day before, Exiles surprisingly still elected to bat first on winning the toss. It initially looked to be vindicated as Asad – after surviving a straightforward catching opportunity second ball of the match – struck very powerfully on the way to a rapid 50 before being caught in the covers with the score on 65 in the 12th over.

Thereafter the quality of Asad’s ball striking was highlighted as the rest of the Exiles line up found scoring very hard to come by, as Kings Roads bowlers continued with an accurate nagging line and length. Darwin anchored the innings well for his 32.

Exiles were still reasonably placed at 110 for 4 with a few overs left and Nadeem still to bat, but unfortunately the acceleration didn’t materialise and the last 6 wickets were lost for only 18 runs and Exiles were all out for 128, 7 balls short of using their 35 overs.

It felt a few runs short and so it proved to be, despite an excellent fight from the Exiles bowlers as Kings Road had to grind their way to the win. Nadeem was pacy and looked uncomfortable to face on the up and down pitch, but it was Naren with his 395th Exiles wicket that made the breakthrough, well held by John behind the stumps – a bit of experience behind that wicket!

Another good catch by John gave Asad a wicket but it was 2 wickets in an over from the returning Nadeem that brought Exiles back into the contest as Kings Road slipped from 89 for 2 to 109 for 6 and starting to run out of overs, with Pinkney (the more experienced Exiles reading this will remember the name!) having made an excellent 53 for Kings Road and skipper Shahid chipping in with two wickets for the Exiles.

But the Kings Road lower middle order had enough about them to get over the line with the final boundary hit off the first ball of the last over. A tight contest and one where the Exiles might reflect on their decision at the toss and not giving Nadeem enough time with the bat to power their side to a competitive enough total.

Onwards to Karnataka also at Dundonald Rec next Sunday.