A much changed Exiles side – featuring no less than 6 debutants – put up a good fight in a 39 run defeat against a strong CYPOS side.

On electing to field, the Exiles bowlers did a fine job in restricting a potentially devastating opposition batting line-up to 158 – with Chris Kemsley (4 for 36) and Andy Wingfield (3 for 19) picking up most of the wickets, but Simon Gundry (only conceding a miserly 10 runs from his 8 overs), a maiden Exiles wicket for Bernard Leuvennink (1 for 31) and a solid spell of left-arm spin from Frank Bertalan (0 for 33) all good contributors.

The Exiles were lacking most of their top-order batting and only a typically belligerent half-century from Gundry (51 not out) got the Exiles in the chase.

But an enjoyable game in surprisingly decent conditions. Agricola visit next week.

Chris Plume (63no) and Andy Wingfield (59, finally) hit maiden Exiles fifties but it wasn’t enough to save the Exiles from defeat on their opening game of the 2014 season at the lovely surrounds of Spencer Cricket Club.

On losing the toss, Exiles – featuring a much-changed side featuring 4 debutants – worked hard with the ball and in the field, but solid batting from Spencer saw them reach 211 for 4 off 40 overs, with only Phil Ling (2 for 36) having much joy for the Exiles attack.

The Exiles reply started poorly with 5 of the top 6 out for single figures as they slumped to 58 for 5, but Wingfield hit a 27 ball fifty – with 4 sixes – in a partnership of 79 with Plume – who reached his own 50 off 84 balls, and ended up carrying his bat throughout the Exiles innings.

When Wingfield was finally caught, the Exiles innings subsided, and a 45 run defeat eventually ensued, with the expected fireworks from Ling (2 off 13 balls) not materialising.

Cypos at DunDonald is up next week.

Past, present and future Exiles stars are invited to show off their cricketing skills in pre-season nets at Lords on the following dates & times:

• Tuesday 18 February, 7-8pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 25 February, 8-9pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 4 March, 8-9pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 11 March, 6-7pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 18 March, 7-8pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 25 March, 7-8pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 1 April, 7-8pm – 2 nets;
• Tuesday 8 April, 7-8pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 15 April, 7-8pm – 1 net;
• Tuesday 29 April, 7-8pm – 2 nets;

If interesting in attending, please contact the club – either via Phil Ling or via the Exiles nets doodle page.

Exiles finished the season with 5 wins, 10 losses and 4 draws/ cancellations/ abandonments.

Trophy winners are as follows:

Bhau Patel Batting Trophy: John Tither – 351 runs @ 50.14

Bowling Trophy: Phil Ling – 15 wickets @ 17.53

Fielding Trophy: Chris Plume – 5 wickets (4ct, 1ro)

Man-of-the-match Trophy: John Tither – 3 matches

Well played all. No date for the AGM is confirmed as yet, though it usually takes place around the end of October.