9 man Exiles picked up a superb first day of the season victory – beating Wimbledon United by 17 runs on a very ‘lively’ Cottenham Park track.

Exiles batted first but soon found the going tough and were teetering at 34 for 3 before an excellent partnership of 112 between Mark (36) and Andy (with a career best 66) riding their luck at times, took the side to a competitive 149 for 5 off their 35 overs.

Despite early wickets for Naren and Andy, Wimbledon looked to be well on their way at 104 for 2 in the 24th over before skipper Bernard (4 for 18) and debutant Ansar (3 for 23) tore into the batsmen and precipitated a dramatic collapse to 132 all out with 9 balls to spare.

A truly stunning start to the season. On to Chiswick next week against Whalers.

(Belated!) list of our nets this spring – at the Ken Barrington Cricket Centre at the Oval (NOT Lords this year!):

Monday 14 February – 8 to 9pm;

Tuesday 1 March – 9 to 10pm;

Tuesday 8 March – 6 to 7pm;

Tuesday 22 March – 9 to 10pm;

Monday 28 March – 6 to 7pm;

Monday 11 April – 7 to 8pm;

Thursday 21 April – 7 to 8pm;

Tuesday 26 April – 7 to 8pm – this is a double net;

Exiles finished the 2021 season with 5 wins and 10 defeats, with 4 cancellations.

Trophy winners are confirmed as follows:

Bhau Patel Batting Trophy: Keith Roberts – 366 runs at 45.75; (Keith wins this trophy for the 6th time, going back-to-back for the first time since 2006 & 07)

Bowling Trophy: Phil Ling – 18 wickets @ 17.28; (Phil wins the trophy for the second time – last time being 2013)

Fielding Trophy: Shahid Iqbal – 3 catches & 1 run-out; (Shahid’s first Exiles trophy)

Man-of-the-match trophy – Keith Roberts & Phil Ling – 3 matches; (Keith’s 6th win and Phil’s second)

Captains Prize – TBA via Bernard at the AGM

Details for this years prize awards and AGM are still being confirmed but expected to be Wednesday 27th October at the Sultan Pub, South Wimbledon

Exiles were beaten for the fifth time in a row, this time by Unabombers at Raynes Park.

Exiles batters found the going tough in the early stages, stumbling to 65 for in the 26th over, despite 27 for Keith, before a fortifying partnership of 61 between debutant Aman Panesar (33no) and Andy Wingfield (20no) took the score up to 126 for 5 off the 35 overs.

It was never likely to be enough however despite a spirited bowling performance from the Exiles as Alex Barnes hit 70 not out to guide the Unabombers home, with 5 Exiles bowlers picking up a wicket.