Exiles picked up their first win in four – courtesy of an ultimately-tense 12 run victory against first-time opponents the Dover Castle Cobras.
Exiles innings never really gained full momentum – despite Mark Bradshaw’s steadying 27 at the top of the innings – it was only when debutant Ahmed Afzal smashed 29no off 14 balls at the death that the Exiles reached a barely-par score of 143 for 8 from their 30 overs.
But the Exiles are bowling well at the moment and 3 quick wickets for Andy Wingfield (3 for 8), as well as 5 other wickets being shared around reduced the Cobras to 52 for 8 – and they seemed set for heavy defeat.
But a fine counter-punching innings of 71 from one of the Cobras batsmen seemed to be winning the tie for his side, only for the returning Afzal (3 for 16) to dismiss him caught & bowled with a mere 14 needed. An over later, a one-handed catch by Afzal at cover off Zohaib Alam (2 for 26) finished the game.
So Exiles won by 12 runs in a fine match, on a sunny day at a nice ground. A good day for the Exiles.