Exiles fell to a 25 run defeat on their 2018 season opener at Spencer.

Fielding first, Andy Wingfield soon removed both Spencer openers to reduce the home side to 12 for 2, but a partnership of 119 for the 3rd wicket attained ascendancy for the home side.

In sweltering conditions the Exiles bowlers worked hard to keep the Spencer batters in check – restricting them to 198 for 4 off their 40 overs – with Wingfield (3 for 20) taking his 324th club wicket to edge ahead of Naren Patel in the all-time Exiles wickets list.

Shahid Iqbal blasted a quick-fire 31 to quickly move the Exiles reply to 48 for 0, but thereafter wickets were lost quickly despite 42 from skipper Chris Plume and the Exiles innings subsided to 173 all out.

Lots to be encouraged by, but an ultimately disappointing opening day defeat for the Exiles.

Exiles finished the 2017 season with 5 wins, 10 defeats and 6 cancellations.

Trophy winners are confirmed as follows:

Bhau Patel Batting Trophy: Bernard Leuvennink – 434 runs @ 54.25;

Bowling Trophy: Andrew Wingfield – 22 wickets @ 15.82;

Fielding Trophy: Keith Roberts – 5 wickets (5 ct.);

Man-of-the-match Trophy: Andrew Wingfield – 4 awards;

Captains Prize – will be confirmed by the Captain at the AGM;

Well played all. Details of the AGM will be confirmed soon…

Exiles finished the season with an excellent 6 wicket victory over new opponents Battersea Eagles – who were strongly reminiscent of Surbiton Imperials.

On losing the toss, the Exiles bowlers set about their task extremely well, bowling out their oppo for only 133, with Wingfield 3/31, Gundry 2/11 and Ling 3/11 to the fore as Exiles fought back well after the Eagles had reached 59 for 1.

The Exiles reply got off to a steady start – with Iqbal striking some big shots on the way to 35, reaching 64 without loss in 15 overs, before 3 quick wickets set the inevitable panic into operation.

But a reassuring partnership of 35 between Hodgson and Lenton restored Exiles confidence, with Gundry then joining Hodgson to see the Exiles comfortably home.

A fine way to finish what has been a tough season for the club.

Exiles were thumped by 153 runs on a day of constant unpleasant mizzle away at OMT.

Captain Ling won the toss and chose to bowl and Exiles promptly conceded a club record 306 for 4 – with OMTs first team batters Vedd and Modi helping themselves to 101 retired and 73 not out respectively.

The only highlights were a good spell of 2 for 27 by Masie Musakhel and a terrific one-handed diving catch by Wingfield in the deep,

Exiles flew out of the blocks in reply, reaching 100 for 1 in 12 overs and there were whispers of something special brewing as debutants Oliver Morkel (48) and Nigel Howcutt (32) played well.

However the rest of the innings was special – in the wrong way for the Exiles – as OMTs spinners Richards (6/21) and Shanagare (3/35) ripped through the Exiles order.

All out for 153 in heavy rain. Next up are Ploughmans at Nursery Road.