An Exiles side featuring 4 debutants powered to a 10 wicket win against Clapham Nomads at Raynes Park.

Nomads surprisingly chose to bat on winning the toss on a green track, but after a sedate start, lost regular wickets and found run scoring tough – reaching 84 for 8 from their full 35 overs. Exiles bowling was nagging and accurate throughout with 2 wickets for Phil, and 2 each for debutants Sahir and Amir, whilst Evan Roberts produced his seasons best bowling to date with 6 overs for only 7 runs.

Exiles reply was over before it started as another debutant – Rehan – proved to be a class apart and fired a rapid 55 not out, supported by Amir, as Exiles raced home in only 8.2 overs.

So a third straight win, heading to Chiswick next weekend to face Agricola.

Phil Ling scored a career best 27 not out to take the Exiles home by 4 wickets against Streatham & Marlborough.

Exiles lost a bad toss but bowled very well in sweltering conditions to restrict Streatham to 165 for 9 – with Andy taking 4 for 30 and Phil 3 for 13.

Keith (36) and Bernard (41) put on 79 for the first wicket in only 14 overs as Exiles looked set to cruise home, only for a ‘traditional’ collapse. However a partnership of 44 between Amil (25) and Phil took Exiles to the brink before another mini collapse, but the win was still secured by 4 wickets.

Back to back wins. Big game next week against the Nomads at Raynes Park.

The eccentric Simon Gundry, bowling in shorts after forgetting his white trousers, took a fantastic 5 for 12 to lead Exiles to their first win of 2021 with a 30 run victory against Merton.

Exiles batted first for the first time this summer and a 99 run partnership for the first wicket ensued between Keith (34) and Bernard (76). After that cameos followed from most of the rest of the Exiles order as the side finished on 194 for 5.

In reply a fine partnership of 94 for the 4th wicket looked to have put Merton in pole position, as they were 150 for 3 in the 29th over. But after Alex Roberts made the breakthrough, Gundry ripped through the rest of the Merton batting to finish with his 3rd Exiles 5-fer and best career figures for the club to date.

Merton finished 164 all out as Ling took his now customary late couple of wickets and Exiles were home by 30 runs. Streatham & Marlborough at Nursery Road next week.

Exiles put in a sprited performance but were beaten by 62 runs at Old Rutlishians on Sunday.

Fielding first the Exiles bowled and fielded well – taking wickets at regular intervals – however the home sides number 4 survived what seemed a clear edge in single figures before eventually scoring a match-winning 108.

Wickets were generally shared, though Andy took 3 for 38 and Phil took 3 for 67.

The pitch got slower and lower as the match went on and in the face of accurate bowling from the home side, only Carl with a resolute 63 not out provided a score of significance as the Exiles were restricted to 151 for 8.

On to Merton next week at John Innes Rec, seeking that elusive first win of the season.