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.

Exiles escaped with an abandoned match at Ewell after a dramatic collapse looked to be dooming the side to its first defeat of 2024.

Exiles bowled and fielded generally well – with 3 wickets for Siyar as Ewell were restricted to 122 all out from their 35 overs on a slow pitch.

Exiles reply started slowly against accurate bowling, but was still well placed at 36 for 1 and then 42 for 2, before 7 wickets were lost for just 4 runs leaving the side on the brink of defeat at 46 for 9. Enter Mr Crossland to provide a few obligatory blocks before the rain came!

A lucky escape! Back to Chiswick next week to face the Whalers.

Exiles picked up their second win of 2024 with a 64 run win against Karnataka in a low scoring encounter at Dundonald Rec.

Batting first, Exiles lost 3 quick wickets before an important partnership of 46 between Hasan (34) and Darwin (32) took the side towards respectability. A late partnership of 23 between Naren (14) and John took the side to 141 all out.

The writing looked on the wall when Karnataka reached 31 without loss in reply, but a double-strike from Naren precipitated a collapse to 77 all out, with 3 wickets for KK.

An excellent defence of a low total.