Exiles were well beaten by the Surbiton Imperials on Sunday, as a combination of late withdrawals, a mis-communication over the start-time and the RideLondon Cycling event closing all local roads led to the Exiles only having 3 players on time for the start.

With an arranged toss, the Exiles batted first to allow the remainder of the side to appear, with the opposition generously allowing us one of their players to make it a 10-a-side match.

Keith Roberts (17) and Chris Plume (32) got the Exiles off to a solid start – adding 59 in 15.4 overs before Plume was bowled by the pacey Ashley Pillay. From there, the Exiles batting continued to lose wickets regularly and the sought for acceleration never really materialised – despite debutant Prasanth Pattiyil (23) and Andy Wingfield (22) making solid contributions. Exiles finished on 160 all out – well short of the 200+ par.

The bowling fared worse as the Imperials raced home in just over 21 overs – with only Tim Storey (1 for 42) and Wingfield (1 for 34) taking any reward, the Imperials hitting 25 boundaries at more than 1 an over.

Hopefully availability et al will be better next week – but Exiles need to get a fixture confirmed first…..

A fine all-round performance from Tim Storey helped the Exiles defeat Merton on Sunday.

Merton batted first but were restricted to 133 all out as Storey (3 for 17) and Phil Ling (3 for 35), in particular, shone in swinging and seaming conditions.

Exiles initially struggled in response – as Merton bowled well – restricting the Exiles to 67 for 5 – before Storey (29no) and Johnny Aloysius (28no) – combined with a smooth partnership of 67 to see the Exiles home to a good win.

Next up is Surbiton Imperials in Kingston.

A much-changed Exiles line-up – including 4 debutants – was well beaten by a very strong Agricola side in the Chiswick heat on Sunday.

Exiles batted first and were restricted to 177/8 off their 40 – with Keith Roberts battling his way to 53 and 3 or 4 other batsmen making starts. However this total was probably 50 short of par.

Or perhaps even more if Agricola’s batting had anything to do with it as they powered past the Exiles total in just 26.1 overs – with Almond (61no) and Lamprecht (101) the main instigators. Tim Storey (1 for 45) picked up the only wicket late on.

Hopefully some injuries will heal this week, some availabilities will improve, allowing the Exiles to respond in the best possible fashion next week against Merton at Nursery Road.

Exiles returned to bogey-ground Raynes Park with a much-changed 10 man side on Sunday and were beaten by 8 wickets by WICC.

On batting first, in hot conditions, Exiles soon wilted to 45 for 5, only for an excellent rebuilding partnership of 101 between Mark Bradshaw (70no) and Will Kent (40) to help steer the total to 162 for 8 off the full 40 overs. 200 was probably closer to par.

In response, despite an early wicket from Phil Ling (1 for 19), WICC cruised home with over 6 overs unused, Johnny Aloysius (1 for 28) taking the Exiles only other wicket.

Agricola next up. Bigger than the Ashes.