Exiles produced a club record-breaking 221 run victory over Merton at the John Innes rec on Sunday to get their fist victory of the 2015 season.

On being put into bat, a superb partnership of 129 between openers Drew Scott-Dawkins (45) and Will Clephane (77) set the perfect platform. And with a side full of batsmen, the run-rate did not let up, as Jasper Searle (47) and Craig Williams (48*) added a further partnership of 94 to see the Exiles finish on 274 for 4 from 40.

The only note of caution being the jug-avoiding behaviour of the 3 Exiles batsmen who made it into the 40’s without reaching their half-centuries.

After tea, it was the bowlers turn as Andy Wingfield (4 for 13) and Ammar Akhtar (2 for 7) reduced Merton to 18 for 6 – aided by some fine catching (at times) from Clephane, the returning Keith Roberts and Bernard Leuvennink. Leuvennink (1 for 3) and Johnny Aloysius (2 for 29) finished things off as Merton were all out for 53.

This was Exiles record ever victory batting first – beating the 183 run margin against the same opposition in 2008.

Next Sunday sees the derby game against Agricola, at Haydon’s Road.

The 2015 season kicked off for the Exiles with another comprehensive defeat by Spencer.

In Chris Plume’s first game as regular captain, the side soon slipped t0 29 for 4 in swinging conditions before an Exiles fightback of sorts – in two stages – with partnerships of 53 between Marc Simpson (30) and Andy Wingfield (22) and then 60 between top-scoring Simon Rowland (47) and Ammar Akhtar (14) saw the Exiles reach 153 all out in 37.4 overs.

It never looked enough, despite a spirited effort in the field by the Exiles – only one wicket was taken – by Ammar Akthar (1 for 30) – as Spencer cruised home with over 10 overs spare.

The result seemed a touch harsh on the Exiles who were at times well in the game and with a few catches taken late on in the game, the margin of defeat might have been less severe.

Simon Rowland was man-of-the-match for a calmly played 47 and a bowled-better-than-his-figures spell of 0 for 31. Next up is Merton at John Innes.