Exiles were beaten in a hard-fought classic encounter at Morden Rec off the final ball by Ploughmans in the most controversial and dramatic of circumstances.

Batting first was tricky and after 2 early wickets were lost, KK with 32 and debutant James Prebble with a top scoring 41 rebuilt the Exiles innings, with late impetus provided by a hard hit 23 by Saeed. 161 seemed a decent total to defend.

The Exiles bowlers found an excellent nagging accuracy to keep the Ploughmans batters in check in the second innings. One of the Ploughmans openers made 64, the number 4 26 and number 5 31, but all lost their wickets as the Exiles applied the squeeze as the run rate got tight.

It came down to the final ball, with Ploughmans needing 3 to win, 2 to tie, 8 down. Masie attempted a slower ball outside off stump which the batsman missed, but they scampered through for a tight single with Masie at the bowlers end missing the stumps with a run out chance which then gave the Ploughmans batters a chance to try for a second run to rescue a tie – but they were denied by an excellent direct hit run out by Shahid.

It seemed Exiles had won by one run only to be denied by a late (and correct) call for a wide by the umpire, so far had the ball been outside off stump. So now the scores were level with one ball left and Ploughmans nine down. This time the ball was smashed over midwicket to give Ploughmans the win, as ultimately seven were scored off the last ball. A tough one for the Exiles to take, the late call from the umpire making it controversially close to being too late, but ultimately a fair call.

Onwards to next week and a fixture still tbc.

Exiles beat Merton by 43 runs on Sunday.

Batting first, boundaries and runs in general were had to come by, with only 10 boundaries in the innings but the Exiles ground out 150 for 8 from the full 40 overs, thanks to a partnership of 68 for the 7th wicket between Hasan (40) and debutant Chris (25).

Exiles turned the screw early in the Merton innings with Naren’s 5 overs only going for 3 runs and the other debutant Alastair taking 3 for 11. Wickets were thereafter shared with 3 important ones for Shahid to ensure Merton didn’t get back into the game.

Next up are Ploughmans at Morden Rec.

Exiles were narrowly beaten for the first time in 2024 – by 8 runs by Kings Road.

Exiles bowlers started well and had Kings Road 51 for 5 – with 3 wickets for Naren – before a restorative partnership of 143 for the 6th wicket put Kings Road in the ascendancy. A late flourish of wickets saw Kings Road bowled out for 207 with 3 wickets for Shahid and Siyar.

Exiles lost 2 wickets early in reply before a typically belligerent fifty from Shahid brought the Exiles into the game. Thereafter it was left to KK (68) and Siyar (36) to put on a partnership of 92 but unfortunately at not quite a quick enough rate as the Exiles fell 8 runs short.

A tight defeat in an excellent game. Merton next week at The John Innes Rec.

After Exiles collapse last week, this time it was Whalers turn to collapse as the latest Exiles v Whalers encounter saw a dramatic change in fortunes.

Exiles batted first and generally batted well, reaching 199 for 7 off their 35 overs – with 50 for the returning Ansar and thirties for Shahid, Hasan and Bernard.

The Whalers openers cruised to 90 without loss in reply and looked set to lead their side home, before an excellent diving catch in the covers by KK off Shahid just before drinks made the breakthrough.

KK was then the bowler himself first ball after drinks with one that nipped away to get the other opener caught behind. Thereafter it was carnage as most Exiles bowlers picked up a wicket, in addition there were 2 run-outs and one Whaler retired injured.

Whalers were ultimately 149 all out, leaving Exiles winners by 50 runs.

Kings Road CC next week, venue tbc.