Exiles suffered their seventh defeat of the 2017 season, courtesy of a 74 run defeat against Agricola.

Another lost toss saw Agricola batting, with Almond (82) and Cottee (67) to the fore as they compiled 241 for 4 off their 40, with only the returning legend Naren Patel and Jibran Ahmed (1 for 30) keeping their economies below 4, as Exiles catching let themselves down in warm conditions.

Exiles made a poor start with the bat and despite 39 from skipper Chris Plume found themselves at 93 for 6 off 29. It was only a late partnership of 74 unbroken between Wingfield (52no) and Jibran (28no) that restored a semblance of respectability and suggested what might have been.

Surbiton away next week with the team needing a win.

Exiles were well beaten by WICC at Cottenham Park on Sunday.

Fielding first, it was hard work for the Exiles as 237 for 3 was conceded from 35 overs with opener Rakesh cracking 107 not out and no 3 Rishi 68.

The run rate wasn’t a problem for the Exiles response, but keeping wickets in tact ultimately was as the side was bowled out for 158 in only 25.5 overs – an early flourish provided by Parkinson (31 off 19) but Leuvennink followed his hundred last week with a superb 78 not out off 53 balls. Just a shame that no-one could stay with him.

Return fixture with Merton next week.

Exiles picked up their second win of the 2017 courtesy of a bizarre 146 run win over Merton.

Exiles won the toss, but, in sweltering conditions, had a wobbly start, slipping to 28 for 3 in the eighth over.

But a club record partnership of 209 runs for the 4th wicket between Keith Roberts (90 not out) and Bernard Leuvennink (111 not out) emphatically reclaimed the initiative for the Exiles as they took the final score up to an imposing 237 for 3 off 40 overs.

Merton’s response seemed intent on only ensuring the Exiles remained in the field for the full 40 overs. And if that was the case it was emphatically achieved as they batted out their 40 overs for a mere 91 runs for the loss of only 3 wickets, as the Exiles bowlers were nullified on a sedated track.

Good for a bowlers economy. But a strange game – with only 3 wickets taken in the last 72 overs of the match. And only 6 in total. Nevertheless it was a much needed win for the Exiles.

WICC at Cottenham Park next week.

Exiles were narrowly beaten by 2 wickets by Ploughmans in an excellent encounter at Dulwich Park on Sunday.

With only 5 players at the ground at the start time, captain Ling was forced to bat on winning the toss and Wingfield (58), supported by Parkinson (22) and Kruger (22), ensured a good platform was built at 109/2 before a flurry of wickets slowed Exiles momentum and a final score of 169/9 seemed at least 20 short.

Exiles worked hard in the field and 3 strikes from Wingfield (3/28) and 2 from Ahmed (2/19) reduced the home side to 81 for 6. But a fine partnership of 84 for the 7th wicket for Ploughmans took them to the brink, before a quick 2 wicket burst from Gundry (2/19) saw stress levels rise amongst the home side.

However it wasn’t to be and Ploughmans were able to hit the winning boundary off the 3rd ball of the final over. A game that ebbed and flowed with both sides favourites at various points.

Next up is Merton at Nursery Road.