3 wickets from Marcin Zieleniewski and 3 from Ammar Akhtar helped the Exiles to a 47 run win over Surbiton Imperials at Nursery Road.

Having survived the weather, a 30 over game was agreed on a green wicket and after an obdurate start by the openers, Craig Williams (21 off 28) got the Exiles started, but it was a partnership of 67 between Will Kent (24 not out) and Andy Wingfield (39 not out) that accelerated the Exiles innings to finish of 129 for 4.

The Surbiton reply never really got started and it was Akhtar (3 for 18) and Zieleniewski (3 for 19) who were the chief tormentors as they were restricted to 82 for 8 off their 30.

4 wins in a row. Merton at Cottenham Park next week.

Exiles made it 3 wins in a row with an emphatic 10 wicket victory at Beddington.

Beddington won the toss but were soon losing wickets as Andy Wingfield – the only survivor from Exiles’ previous visit to Beddington 13 years ago – took 3 for 20 – and Simon Gundry went one better with 4 for 6; with a welcome first appearance of the season from Terence Moynihan (1 for 19) and steady spells from 2 players borrowed from the opposition – Majeed and Mehran – there was no respite for the Beddington batters and they were eventually dismissed for 79.

Drew Scott-Dawkins (25 not out) anchored the reply and despite skipper Chris Plume picking up a blow to the hand, a further player borrowed for the day – Moin Khan – blasted the Exiles home with 28 not out off 20 balls.

A fine win for the magnificent seven (and four guests!). Next up is Surbiton at Nursery Road.

Exiles beat Agricola by 3 wickets with a tense 3 wicket victory at Haydons Road.

Accurate bowling by the Exiles saw Agricola restricted to 119 all out in 35 overs with Phil Ling taking 4 for 30 on a pitch that was swinging and seaming.

Regular wickets were lost in reply but contributions from Barry Whiteman (23), Craig Williams (17) and Bernard Leuvennink (24) got the Exiles close before a critical partnership of 29 between Simon Gundry (25no) and Ammar Akhtar (7no) saw the Exiles home.

This match was notable for several injuries suffered during the game – for the Exiles Drew Scott-Dawkins (thigh), Jasper Searle (thigh), Bernard Leuvennink (arm) and in particular Jibran Ahmed (hamstring) – which ended his participation in the match early – and for Agricola (and occasional Exile) Justin Lamprecht (calf); there were probably more; it could have been 7-a-side at the end and Steve Parkinson made a return appearance to cricket with a guest appearance for Agricola.

A good win for the Exiles in the series and a return to Beddington next week – after a 13 gap – awaits.

On 10 May 2015, Will Clephane powered a 72 ball innings of 77 to help steer the Exiles to a club-record 221 run victory over Merton. The Exiles website caught up with Will for his comments:

Will very well played. You were due a few runs though weren’t you?

Well pre-season form indicated that I would find a bit of form. In the off season I worked hard on the guns and shoulders to ensure that striking power would be there when I needed it. I haven’t performed how I would have liked to date for the Exiles, with only one 50 and several starts for the club. So runs were due if I could get myself into form. I have found a bit of that form that I knew was there, so hopefully if I can keep my head down I can contribute to the team beyond just delivering week in week out on my fielding prowess in the slips.

When did you feel it was going to be your day?

I thought that once we had seen off the first few overs, had a good look at the pitch, that I could get a few. But you only get one chance in cricket so the key was keeping my head down and choosing my shots correctly, which has let me down in the past. I thought that I managed to get my head together at key points throughout the opening partnership, and with Drew keeping it together at the other end, it allowed me to take my time without thinking about keeping the scoreboard ticking over too much.

What were your favourite shot(s)?

I was trying to really just get in line for the ball, and I did that after the first few overs, but the one stand out shot was in the middle of the innings when I picked up a good length ball off middle and leg and put it over mid wicket to the boundary. There was no power in the shot, it was just well timed out of the middle of the bat.

Did you enjoy batting with Drew Scott-Dawkins in your opening partnership of 129?

I have to say that batting with Drew was a joy, he was key to the success and was the one that devised the strategy. That made it easy for me as I didn’t have to think too much about what I did, just follow Drew’s game plan and execute shots when they were there without constraining my natural game.

You’ve had a chequered record in previous performances against Merton?

Last season I came in rusty with no practice. I got a good length ball on off stump, first up, and played inside the line. I put my foot down the line too early, was a little bit top heavy in my body shape and essentially was off balance. It was a tough introduction into the rigours of Exiles cricket last season and I have to be honest it has played on my mind. That Diamond duck was the driving force behind commitment to batting in the pre-season nets and made me think about how I was going to approach things differently this season. Play a bit later, lose a pound or two around the midriff, and try to watch the ball more carefully. I have got a bit of power which allows me to put a fair few hitting areas away to the boundary, so I just have to be confident enough to give myself time in the middle.

And what of your slip-catching? At times it was excellent today…

Yeah 50% strike rate on slip catching isn’t bad. I do feel that I made thing harder for myself by not staying down long enough in the slips, but hopefully a bit of rust has fallen off the hands and I hope that I can contribute consistently in the field this season for the team.

What aspirations for the coming season?

Well I have three goals this season.

One is that I would like to get a century, which is a tough ask. But I think that setting personal goals is key to contributing to the team’s performances throughout the season.

Secondly I would like to get a minimum of 10 games in. I am not a natural talent and therefore the only way I can play successfully is with plenty of time in the middle. If I can play more with Drew at the top of the order then I think that will really make a difference.

Third I would like to play in a century stand where both Drew and I get a minimum of 50 a piece, he deserved more from that game and was in good nick. Just a shame that we both couldn’t have cleaned up right to the end.

Will very well played and here’s hoping for plenty more runs from you this season..