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.

Will, very well played! You must’ve been delighted with your second half-century of the season?

Yeah it’s good to record a second this season but I am more pleased we won. I was a bit dirty with myself for not connecting with a few late on and would’ve been more so if we’d lost in the last over.

Have you scored many fifties in your cricketing career – they seem to be coming along pretty regularly in an Exiles shirt at the moment!?

In my last full season back home (1999/2000) I had a bit of breakout season scoring a few, and moving up the grades, but prior to that I was the Australian Andy Wingfield; I lost count of how many times I scored 49. If I’d been in the middle a while and had just got out I’d walk back past the scorer and sarcastically ask “49?”

You’ve moved around the Exiles batting order a lot since you started playing for the club – what role do you prefer? 

I’ve moved around the batting line up my whole illustrious cricketing career so nothing new. I started my career in the lower order but in the last few years of junior cricket I moved up and opened the batting. Then I hit grade cricket and moved back down to seven or eight, only then to move back up to open. I don’t really have a preference but I find I need a lot more mental preparation to open.

What are your favourite shots? You seem a very effective foil to some of your more free-hitting team-mates?

Back foot shots definitely, a good cut or pull; shots you need on Australian pitches. But funnily enough if I’m driving the ball well you know I’m in form. I’ve never been a big hitter, and as much as I try, I don’t think I ever will. When I opened the batting in junior cricket I had a great coach who massively improved my technique and mental approach to a game, but it was a technique designed to minimise risk and to turn the strike over. I guess this helps when the free hitters are in as they push the field back and I can just take a single to get them back on strike and doing their thing.

How have you found your first few seasons with the Exiles? Any players in particular you’ve enjoyed playing in the same side as?

I’ve enjoyed the games with the Exiles; the highs and the lows. I wouldn’t keep coming back if I didn’t. I don’t think I’ve got any particular players I enjoying playing with more than others. I’ve always had a natural lean towards the fast bowlers in a team; a keeper and his “quicks” need to have a good relationship (ala caught Marsh bowled Lillee) but then again I enjoy being in the middle watching a graceful Keith, a free flowing John or a workman like Chris.

You are, of course, now firmly established as first-choice wicket-keeper for the club. Have you always been a keeper? What do you prefer – keeping or batting?

Keeping. I didn’t even have to think about that one. From the first ball of my cricketing career I’ve been a “keeper”. As a kid whilst others practiced batting or bowling I’d be out diving around in the grass practicing my technique and catching. A bit of a lonely existence but I enjoyed it.

Do you have many cricketing aspirations ahead?

I don’t really have any cricket aspirations these days, other than to enjoy it. The thing I’m looking forward to now is introducing James and Florence to cricket. I am hoping they both enjoy the game and that I can help them develop into decent players, although secretly I hope they don’t want to bowl as I can’t really help with that one.

Exiles picked up back-to-back victories for the first time in 2014 with a hard fought 40 run victory against Whalers.

The Exiles innings was anchored superbly by Will Kent (70 not out) with support in the form of cameos right throughout the innings, with Chris Plume (22) & Jasper Searle (24) the more significant scorers of them. Exiles innings finished on 190 for 7 off their 35 overs.

Andy Wingfield (2 for 24) picked up a wicket first ball of the Whalers response and with Ammar Akthar (1 for 27) also soon striking, Exiles were immediately on top. But a 72 run partnership for the 3rd wicket put the Whalers back in the game only for Simon Gundry (1 for 20) to finally remove the no 3 for a well-made 44.

Exiles now started to pick up wickets, but it was only when a fine catch by Plume off Wingfield at deep square leg to remove the no 4 for 49 that the game seemed safe. A fine spell from Steve Parkinson (2 for 22) at the death helped ensure the Exiles cross the line.

No fixture is currently scheduled for next week but attempts will be made to rectify this.

On Sunday 8 June 2014, Craig Williams became the 4th Exiles player to score his maiden Exiles 50 during the 2014 season. The Exiles website caught up with Craig for his thoughts:

Well batted Craig – A maiden Exiles half century in only your third game for the club. You must be pleased to reach that milestone so quickly? 

Good to hear from you Chris! Yeah I was pleased, especially as it helped set the platform for the bowlers to go on and win us the game. Given that I’d managed 1 including a hideous run out from my first two innings I was keen to chip in with something.

When you came out into the middle we were in something of a hole, and a fourth wicket went down pretty quickly to bring Andy to the crease. What was going through your mind? 

Just to settle myself, wait for the bad ball, and not to get out within five balls again. I always like to build partnerships and keep the board ticking over and we’d actually set off at a reasonable pace which always helps.

You looked pretty comfortable throughout and were predictably ruthless on anything straying onto leg-stump. Do you prefer facing quicks or spinners? 

Yeah I think I’m better against the spinners, especially when I first get to the crease. I like accumulating runs in the middle order and find it a bit easier to sort my footwork out against the spinners so, yeah spinners is probably a preference!

Have you set yourself any targets for the season? Or is it just to get some regular time in the middle and build from there? 

Just to play as much as I can, try and adapt to the game and chip in as much as I can really.

Congratulations on your effort – are there any shots in particular that stand out in the memory? 

It was all singles wasn’t it? I hope this interview makes the papers before the World Cup takes the headlines away.