Energy Exiles Cricket Club

ENERGY EXILES CRICKET CLUB

(Founded 1992)

(Affiliated to the DTISSA and the Club Cricket Conference) SEASON REPORT 2003 2003 Results

Played 22 Won 12 Drawn 6 Lost 4

Matches Man of the Match 28/4/03 WICC – Lost by 76 runs N Patel – 4 for 31 4/5/03 Innings – Lost by 102 runs K Roberts – 72* 11/5/03 North Croydon – Match Drawn K Roberts – 33 18/5/03 Haud Magnum – Match Drawn S Scott – 44* and 1 for 22 25/5/03 Agricola – Match Drawn K Roberts – 77* 1/6/03 Vishwa – Match Drawn M Bradshaw 48 14/6/03 Clapham Nomads – Lost by 6 wickets D Herrington 34 22/6/03 Whalers – Won by 8 wickets M Bradshaw 71* 29/6/03 British Library – Match Drawn No award 6/7/03 Haud Magnum – Match Drawn P Palao – 4 for 33 13/7/03 Strollers – Won by 6 wickets J Taylor – 94 20/7/03 Brixton Casuals – Won by 121 runs J Taylor – 131 27/7/03 Agricola – Won by 87 runs J Taylor – 82 3/8/03 North Croydon – Won by 4 runs M Devlin – 5 for 30 10/8/03 Wandsworth Mechanics – Won by 107 runs M Bradshaw – 55 15/8/03 Caythorpe – Lost by 6 wickets G Thomas – 3 for 26 16/8/03 Newage – Won by 9 wickets M Cook – 4 for 16 17/8/03 Great Dalby – Won by 20 runs J Farrington-Douglas – Fielding performance 24/8/03 CAMRA – Won by 8 wickets K Roberts – 53* 31/8/03 British Library – Won by 7 wickets A Rathie – 78* 6/9/03 Morden Corinthians – Won by 9 wickets K Roberts – 64* 14/8/03 WICC – Won by 6 wickets A Wingfield – 5 for 44

Comparison with previous seasons:

PLAYED WON DRAWN LOST NR % WON 2003 22 12 6 4 0 55% 2002 19 7 6 5 1 37% 2001 21 7 6 7 1 33% 2000 26 10 4 10 2 38% 1999 27 7 5 13 2 26% 1998 24 7 9 8 0 29% 1997 25 9 6 9 1 36% 1996 20 6 0 12 2 30% 1995 16 7 0 8 1 43% ENERGY EXILES – TROPHY WINNERS “BHAU PATEL” BATTING TROPHY WINNERS

2003 Jon Taylor (Average 90.00) 2002 Jon Taylor (Average 86.60) 2001 Mark Bradshaw (Average 34.67) 2000 Mark Bradshaw (Average 27.33) 1999 John Priestland (Average 35.83) 1998 Jeff Hilson (Average 50.33) 1997 Keith Roberts (Average 29.69) 1996 Sam Scott (Average 29.73) 1995 Graham Bond (Average 41.33) 1994 Bhau Patel (Average 39.00)

BOWLING TROPHY WINNERS

2003 Naren Patel (Average 15.18) 2002 Stuart Devlin (Average 10.33) 2001 Tom Cox (Average 12.22) 2000 Stuart Devlin (Average 12.05) 1999 Naren Patel (Average 11.95) 1998 Dave Hawes (Average 8.09) 1997 Jonty Tarbuck (Average 8.89) 1996 Naren Patel (Average 13.00) 1995 Chris Bunton (Average 9.50) 1994 Jeff Hilson (Average 9.04)

CATCHING TROPHY WINNERS

2003 Keith Roberts 11 catches 2002 Keith Roberts 7 catches 2001 Keith Roberts 11 catches 2000 Mark Bradshaw/ Keith Roberts 7 catches 1999 Chris Bunton/ Nick Creak 8 catches 1998 Robin Airey/ Amil Patel/ Luke 5 catches Butler 1997 Keith Roberts 11 catches

MAN OF THE MATCH TROPHY WINNERS

2003 Keith Roberts 2002 Jon Taylor 2001 Gwyn Thomas 2000 Chris Bunton 1999 Keith Roberts 1998 Mark Bradshaw 1997 Nick Creak 2003 AVERAGES

BATTING (qualification 8 innings) Highest Innings Not Out Score Runs Average Catches Jon Taylor 8 2 131 540 90.00 6 Keith Roberts 18 6 77 * 535 44.58 11 Mark Bradshaw 16 2 74 508 36.29 3 Dom Herrington 10 2 46 256 32.00 3 Amil Patel 10 4 43 154 25.67 4 Wil Scott 14 3 40 203 18.45 Quentin Davies 13 1 31 186 15.50 1 Luke Butler 8 0 33 79 9.88 4

Also batted: Nick Creak 7 4 41 * 128 42.67 5 Andrew Sammut 3 1 49 * 71 35.50 1 Sam Scott 5 2 44 * 76 25.33 1 Robin Airey 1 0 18 18 18.00 Naren Patel 3 2 12 * 17 17.00 1 Matt Cook 4 2 10 * 30 15.00 6 Andy Wingfield 7 3 17 * 51 12.75 8 Pablo Palao 7 1 22 57 9.50 5 Andy Burton 2 0 11 17 8.50 Julian Jackson 1 0 8 8 8.00 Jeff Hilson 5 1 14 30 7.50 2 Barry Fitzgerald 1 0 6 6 6.00 Gwyn Thomas 2 1 5 5 5.00 3 Joe Farrington-Douglas 3 0 6 11 3.67 5 David Stiffell 1 0 2 2 2.00 1 Krishna Sompura 1 0 1 1 1.00 Martin Thomas 2 0 2 2 1.00 6 Andrew Rathie 1 1 78 * 78 - Chris Bunton 1 1 0 * 0 -

Highest scores: 131 Jon Taylor v Brixton Casuals 20/7/03 94 Jon Taylor v Strollers 13/7/03 82 Jon Taylor v Haud Magnum 6/7/03 81 Jon Taylor v Agricola 27/7/03 79* Jon Taylor v Newage 16/8/03

Wicketkeeper Dismissals: 8 (5ct, 3st) W 3 (3ct) D Fitzgerald 1 (1ct) Andrew Sammut Scott 4 (2ct, 2st) K 2 (1ct, 1st) M Bradshaw Armstrong BOWLING (qualification 8 wickets and 30 overs) Strike Econ Best Overs Mdns Runs Wkts Average Rate Rate Bowling Naren Patel 102 15 334 22 15.18 27.82 3.27 4 for 31 Pablo Palao 46.4 4 197 12 16.42 23.20 4.25 4 for 22 Matt Cook 101 10 385 23 16.74 26.35 3.81 4 for 15 Martin Thomas 43 2 208 12 17.33 21.50 4.84 3 for 17 Jeff Hilson 88 22 228 12 19.00 44.00 2.59 4 for 39 Sam Scott 48 4 225 11 20.45 26.18 4.69 4 for 56 Joe Farrington-Douglas 34.1 2 185 9 20.56 22.73 5.43 3 for 27 Andy Wingfield 98 16 362 14 25.86 42.00 3.69 5 for 44 Gwyn Thomas 75.5 5 381 11 34.64 41.18 5.05 3 for 26

Also bowled: Mark Devlin 10 2 30 5 6.00 12.00 3.00 5 for 30 Andrew Sammut 8 3 21 3 7.00 16.00 2.63 3 for 21 Wil Scott 1 0 7 1 7.00 6.00 7.00 1 for 7 Robin Airey 4 1 8 1 8.00 24.00 2.00 1 for 8 Barry Fitzgerald 6 0 26 1 26.00 36.00 4.33 1 for 26 Dominic Herrington 4 0 34 1 34.00 24.00 8.50 1 for 34 Keith Roberts 15 1 83 2 41.50 45.00 5.53 2 for 26 Nick Creak 70 7 316 7 45.14 60.00 4.51 3 for 58 Andy Burton 3 0 26 0 - - 8.67 Chris Bunton 6 0 53 0 - - 8.83 Krishna Sompura 4 0 43 0 - - 10.75

Best bowling: 5 for 30 Mark Devlin v North Croydon 3/8/03 5 for 44 Andy Wingfield v WICC 15/9/03 4 for 15 Matt Cook v CAMRA 24/8/03 4 for 16 Matt Cook v Newage 16/8/03 4 for 22 Pablo Palao v Agricola 27/7/03 ENERGY EXILES CAREER AVERAGES (Includes data for 1992-2003)

BATTING & FIELDING (qual10 innings) Highest Innings Not Out Score Runs Average Catches* Jon Taylor 32 9 131 1395 60.65 16 Bhau Patel 13 2 71 411 37.36 N/A Keith Roberts 110 26 83 * 2778 33.07 53 Dom Herrington 24 5 64 * 616 32.42 7 Mark Bradshaw 135 12 94 3314 26.94 32 Ian Laxton 10 1 79 219 24.33 N/A Tom Cox 30 7 74 * 557 24.22 4 John Priestland 109 14 98 * 2120 22.32 0 Nick Creak 36 9 83 * 565 20.93 15 Andrew Sammut 19 6 49 * 240 18.46 10 Jeff Hilson 82 12 57 1136 16.23 4 Amil Patel 70 9 81 931 15.26 21 Sam Scott 112 16 113 * 1431 14.91 22 James Marsh 28 3 48 364 14.56 N/A Quentin Davies 63 14 41 621 12.67 7 Wil Scott 145 14 48 1627 12.42 20 Andy Loukes 20 2 79 * 222 12.33 7 Abby Bux 11 0 45 134 12.18 N/A Tim Levers 16 0 39 190 11.88 N/A Stuart Devlin 20 3 28 186 10.94 2 Robin Airey 92 12 77 863 10.79 24 Pablo Palao 12 2 22 101 10.10 7 Steve Hodgson 52 5 32 * 471 10.02 1 Kristian Armstrong 75 6 55 689 9.99 14 Biren Patel 12 2 16 92 9.20 N/A Luke Butler 71 8 63 530 8.41 32 Mitesh Dhanak 26 4 41 170 7.73 2 David Coles 21 5 17 117 7.31 2 Dicken Goodwin 15 2 21 95 7.31 4 Chris Bunton 69 21 28 * 333 6.94 21 Jonty Tarbuck 20 3 20 115 6.76 4 Naren Patel 94 33 76 * 391 6.41 19 Matt Cook 31 9 25 133 6.05 20 Graham Dovey 12 1 18 66 6.00 N/A John Cook 44 3 23 * 208 5.07 2 Steve Yandell 29 8 14 * 85 4.05 12 Gwyn Thomas 35 16 5 36 1.89 11 *Catches do not include wicket-keeper dismissals

WICKET-KEEPER DISMISSALS (qual 10 dismissals): 74 (52 ct, 22st) J Priestland 17 (11ct, 6st) W Scott 24 (20ct, 4st) M Bradshaw 17 (14ct, 3st) K Armstrong BOWLING (qual 20 wickets) Strike Econ Best Overs Maidens Runs Wkts Average Rate Rate Bowling Dave Hawes 66 8 240 20 12.00 19.80 3.64 6 for 18 Jonty Tarbuck 257 68 578 48 12.04 32.13 2.25 4 for 4 Stuart Devlin 160 25 490 39 12.56 24.62 3.06 4 for 5 Tom Cox 218 50 592 39 15.18 33.54 2.72 7 for 8 Luke Butler 217 17 882 53 16.64 24.57 4.06 5 for 13 Nick Creak 353.2 55 1207 71 17.00 29.85 3.42 5 for 40 Naren Patel 1059.3 183 3082 177 17.41 35.91 2.91 5 for 10 Jeff Hilson 824.5 147 2335 132 17.69 37.48 2.83 7 for 29 Chris Bunton 598 63 2446 136 17.99 26.38 4.09 6 for 12 Quentin Davies 179.1 19 757 42 18.02 25.59 4.23 4 for 14 Andrew Sammut 155 28 549 30 18.30 31.00 3.54 4 for 25 Gwyn Thomas 560.5 80 2208 120 18.40 28.03 3.94 8 for 42 Matt Cook 501.4 71 1818 97 18.74 31.01 3.63 5 for 18 Keith Roberts 159.4 15 786 40 19.65 23.91 4.93 4 for 52 Sam Scott 575.5 65 2183 100 21.83 34.53 3.79 5 for 18 Wil Scott 234 23 1039 41 25.34 34.24 4.44 3 for 15 Robin Airey 266.1 27 1231 43 28.63 37.13 4.63 4 for 17

ENERGY EXILES RECORDS

Highest scores Best bowling 131 Jon Taylor (20/7/03 v Brixton Casuals) 8 for 42 Gwyn Thomas (25/5/97 v Thamesfield) 113* Sam Scott (8/9/96 v Haud Magnum) 7 for 8 Tom Cox (19/7/98 v Open University) 98* John Priestland (8/8/97 v Knoll Pharm's) 7 for 29 Jeff Hilson (7/7/96 vs Haud Magnum) 95 John Priestland (1995 v Sutton Council) 6 for 12 Chris Bunton (5/8/00 v Old Rutlishians) 94 Mark Bradshaw (7/8/98 v Caythorpe) 6 for 18 Dave Hawes (27/6/98 v Tate Gallery)

Most runs Most wickets Best batting average 3314 Mark Bradshaw 177 Naren Patel 90.00 Jon Taylor (2003) 2778 Keith Roberts 136 Chris Bunton 86.60 Jon Taylor (2002) 2120 John Priestland 132 Jeff Hilson 57.75 Keith Roberts (2002) 1627 Wil Scott 120 Gwyn Thomas 50.33 Jeff Hilson (1998) 1431 Sam Scott 100 Sam Scott 44.58 Keith Roberts (2003)

Most runs in a season Most wickets in a season Best bowling average 574 Mark Bradshaw (1998) 39 Naren Patel (1999) 8.09 Dave Hawes (1998) 540 Jon Taylor (2003) 31 Chris Bunton (2000) 8.89 Jonty Tarbuck (1997) 535 Keith Roberts (2003) 30 Nick Creak (1999) 9.04 Jeff Hilson (1994) 508 Mark Bradshaw (2003) 28 Jonty Tarbuck (1997) 9.80 Simon Rigby (1992) 499 Mark Bradshaw (1997) 27 Nick Creak (1997) 10.33 Stuart Devlin (2002) RECORD PARTNERSHIPS

1st – 124 Keith Roberts (64*) & Mark Bradshaw (55) vs Morden Corinthians (2003)

2nd – 160 Jon Taylor (131) & Dom Herrington (46) vs Brixton Casuals (2003)

3rd – 143 Luke Butler (63) & Mark Bradshaw (85) vs Tate Gallery (1998)

4th – 116 Andrew Rathie (78*) & Andrew Sammut (49*) vs British Library (2003)

5th – 109 Keith Roberts (53) & Jon Taylor (72*) vs Agricola (2002)

6th – 96* Keith Roberts (83*) & Tom Cox (53*) vs Roehampton (1999)

7th – 120* Andy Loukes (79*) & Dave Hawes (24*) vs Old Rutlishians (1999)

8th – 51 Jeff Hilson (51) & Quentin Davies (19*) vs Victor Trumper (1996)

9th – 44 Jonty Tarbuck (20) & Chris Bunton (19*) vs Brockwell (1996)

10th – 53* Chris Bunton (28*) & Gavin Rive (21*) vs Sutton Council (1995) MATCH REPORTS (by Mark Bradshaw and the Hon. Basil Butler)

ENERGY EXILES V WICC 27/4/2003 Energy Exiles found themselves in the field against the free-scoring WICC in the first fixture of the season. Andrew Sammut almost took a wicket with the first ball of the season, but Dom Herrington at slip only succeeded in booting the low edge (it was a crap ball anyway). Sammut (3 for 21) and Naren Patel (4 for 31) put that disappointment behind them to reduce WICC to 78 for 4. However, the powerful WICC batting line-up took a heavy toll on the Exiles support bowlers with only Creak (1 for 36) not suffering a battering. Naren Patel thankfully made short work of the tail as WICC closed on 213 all out.

Exiles made the worst possible start as Keith Roberts was run out in the first over. Mark Bradshaw made a bright 41, but there was a steady fall of wickets with no-one else passing 20. The Exiles were unable to get on top of WICC’s steady, but largely unspectacular bowling, and after an entertaining 12 not out from man of the match Naren Patel, closed on 137 all out, defeated by 76 runs.

ENERGY EXILES V INNINGS 4/5/03 An under-strength Exiles travelled to Epsom to meet Innings, like WICC another free- scoring side. Again, the Exiles opening bowlers, Matt Cook (1 for 18) and Naren Patel (3 for 23) made a good start, but again the support bowlers including the experienced Gwyn Thomas, Nick Creak and Chris Bunton (was this the last time we shall ever hear, “New bowler, Bunton! Bunton!”?), were thrashed all over the place as Innings amassed a formidable 251 from its allotted 40 overs.

In reply, the Exiles opted for batting practice, making 149 for 4 with Keith Roberts unbeaten on 72 and Nick Creak making a typically brisk 28. Chris Bunton also made a cameo at the end of the Exiles innings as we sank to a 101 run defeat. Man of the match was Keith Roberts.

ENERGY EXILES V NORTH CROYDON 11/5/03 Opening bowlers Jeff Hilson and Naren Patel made an excellent start against a strong North Croydon side pegging them to two runs an over. For the third week in a row, the change bowlers did not bowl with such accuracy as the North Croydon middle order made hay making 187 for 6. Pablo Palao (3 for 68) did get some success among the onslaught. The only other notable incident was Jeff Hilson’s fielding performance - the first bit of ground fielding Jeff was obliged to execute entailed a chase of medium proportions for a ball hit to long-off. Jeff set off in pursuit (rather tardily I thought) only to fall flat on his arse when approaching mid-gallop. I'm not sure what caused the fall; it was still a little early in the year for the Canadian geese to disturb his concentration. Anyway, this was followed quickly by a perfectly unbroken sequence of inept attempts at stopping anything that came his way, evoking the sepia- tinged memory of one M Dhanak and causing the Scott brothers to harangue him viciously. This was all too much for our hero who retired from the field, with at least ten overs remaining, feeling a little queer and suffering from hallucinations.

Keith Roberts and Mark Bradshaw made a steady start of 25 against some very fast bowling before Mark was caught behind. Andy Burton also made a reasonable start, but his innings was curtailed as he was pole-axed by a vicious off-cutter into the box and was bowled shortly afterwards. Wil Scott (11) hung on with Keith (33) and saw off the opening bowlers. After the dismissals of Roberts and W Scott, Luke Butler made an entertaining 23 and with support from Pablo Palao (13) and Sam Scott (10no) helped us to a losing draw. Man of the match was top-scorer Keith Roberts.

ENERGY EXILES V HAUD MAGNUM 18/5/03 For the first time this season, the Exiles batted first, but soon found themselves in trouble at 30 for 3 with Roberts, Bradshaw, and Wil Scott having made little impression. Enterprising middle-order performances from Herrington (27), Davies (30), Butler (33), and Creak (38) steadied the innings before a fine 9th wicket stand of 41 between Sam Scott (44no) and Matt Cook (10no) pushed the score up to 215 for 7.

All the Exiles’ bowlers put in good spells, but despite some cavalier batting from some of the Haud batsmen, we were seen off by an innings of 16 in 25 overs from veteran Colin Nixon. Colin’s stay at the crease ended in tragedy with a comical run- out in which he yelled at his apparently autistic batting partner, “Run, you idiot! Run!” The Haud Magnum captain played some bold shots and secured the draw. Man of the match was Sam Scott.

ENERGY EXILES V AGRICOLA 25/5/03 Keith Roberts played very well to carry his bat for the Exiles with 77 not out. He received support all the way down the batting order as the Exiles put up a decent total of 140 for 5. Jeff Hilson even managed to make double figures for the first time in two years.

In response, the Exiles attack bowled superbly to ensure that Agricola got nowhere near our total. Jeff Hilson was outstanding, bowling like a demon in an 18 over spell of 4 for 39. He received sound support from the veterans Naren Patel (2 for 33) and Barry Fitzgerald (1 for 26). However, Agricola held on for the draw at 104 for 7. Man of the match was Keith Roberts.

ENERGY EXILES V VISHWA 1/6/03 In damp and humid conditions the Exiles bowlers were hammered all over the place by the kamikaze Vishwa batsmen. No-one escaped punishment and the Exiles didn’t help themselves by dropping several catches.

Facing a target in excess of 200, Keith Roberts and Mark Bradshaw opted for a safety first strategy, before Keith holed out for 20. In partnership with Dom Herrington (37no), Bradshaw made the game safe before edging behind for 48. One or two wickets fell quickly before Nick Creak enlivened the game with some bold strokes as the Exiles easily secured the draw. Vishwa’s very poor over rate counted against them as it gave them little opportunity to bowl out a strong Exiles batting line-up. Man of the match was top scorer, Mark Bradshaw.

ENERGY EXILES V CLAPHAM NOMADS 14/6/03 The Exiles could not put an end to the Nomads "hoodoo" as we went down by six wickets in a keenly fought encounter. The Nomads turned up about 40 minutes late and their captain, Emil Todorow, won the toss and elected to field. Dismayed at Emil's decision, his team-mates promptly sacked him as captain and replaced him with John the wicketkeeper.

Against some tight bowling, especially from Dave Hunter the former OU captain, the Exiles struggled to 122 for 7 with only Bradshaw (20), Herrington (34), and Davies (26) making much impression - though mention should be made of Amil playing no shot to the final ball of the innings in a successful attempt at average protection. Amil argued it that “It was what Keith would have done”. The Nomads rowed with each other throughout the innings with Todorow particularly miffed to be withdrawn from the attack after bowling only four overs.

At tea, Naren presented the Dairy Crest umpires coat to John the wicketkeeper.

Hilson quickly bowled openers with the dismissal of Todorow particularly satisfying as he had just told his partner, "Keep concentrating, remember what I told you". Todorow took an age to leave the field as he practised the forward defensive shot all the way back to the pavilion. The Nomads third wicket pair then rode their luck with one or two very difficult chances going to ground off the luckless Wingfield. There then followed a on-field spat with the Nomads No. 4 insisting that a Wingfield bouncer was a wide and the umpire then gave it. Thankfully, John the wicketkeeper and Emil were on hand to calm things down. The No. 4 told us after the game that he had been "playing cricket for 20 years and that bloke Wingfield was definitely bowling at my head" - I cannot think why! Joe Farrington-Douglas and Martin Thomas each took a wicket, but the Nomads eased past our total with four overs to spare.

After the game, the Exiles learnt that the Nomads had been the subject of an article in the Observer on 8th June. John felt the article had been "condescending", but Emil corrected him and said that it was "a p***-take". Emil then gave a rousing monologue on cricket, telling us how it was "a game of confidence", and illuminating the evening with several splendid stories including one about his pipe.

Man of the match was top-scorer, Dom Herrington.

ENERGY EXILES V WHALERS 22/6/03 This was the Exiles first win of the season, but the Whalers certainly put up more fight than in their hammering in the corresponding fixture last season.

The Whalers made a disastrous start losing both openers to Andy Wingfield in the first over of the match. After fine opening spells from Wingfield and Naren Patel, Joe Farrington-Douglas (3 for 27) bowled a lively couple of spells sending one batsmen to the local A&E department and picking up some wickets. Wingfield (3 for 23) returned with a fine spell at the end, but the Whalers closed on a challenging total of 165 for 7.

In reply, Mark Bradshaw and Wil Scott put on 88 in good time for the first wicket before Wil was caught at slip for 27. Quentin Davies then whacked a quick 23 before Keith Roberts (15 not out) saw the Exiles home to an eight-wicket victory. Man of the match for an uncharacteristically sensible 71 not out was Mark Bradshaw. ENERGY EXILES V BRITISH LIBRARY 29/9/03 The Exiles made 63 for 4 in response to British Library’s 191 for 2. Exiles managed to score only five runs from five overs of Ken Price’s deceptive donkey drops. We’ll leave the report at that! No man of the match award made.

ENERGY EXILES V HAUD MAGNUM 6/7/03 After the previous week’s poor performance, the Exiles made amends by racking up 233 for 3 against Haud Magnum. John Taylor (81) and Mark Bradshaw (74) added 133 together, and Amil Patel demonstrated his sound cricket brain with a very sensible and brisk 28 not out.

Matt Cook (2 for 15) quickly got rid of both openers. Pablo Palao bowled a superb spell of left-arm spin, turning the ball a long way in taking 4 for 33 with Haud Magnum limping to 49 for 6. Yet again, Colin Nixon secured the draw with another typically cussed innings with Haud closing on 104 for 7. Man of the match was Pablo Palao.

ENERGY EXILES V STROLLERS 13/7/03 The Exiles became the first team to beat the Strollers for two years in what was probably our finest ever victory. The Strollers batted first and both Jeff Hilson and Andy Wingfield bowled tidily without taking a wicket. Naren Patel made the breakthrough and in partnership with Nick Creak kept the Strollers score within reasonable limits. Joe Farrington-Douglas was less fortunate as he suffered at the hands of some harsh umpiring and poor fielding from Jeff Hilson as Strollers closed on 200 for 6. Hilson’s fielding is worthy of a mention in itself as having bowled a fine opening spell, he appeared to take a nap in the outfield as he watched a leg-glance pass him on the boundary. Jeff then went through his whole routine of fielding blunders, allowing at least five further boundaries pass through his hands as he blamed the rough outfield for his predicament, "What can you do?" was his shout. Closer inspection revealed that the said piece of outfield was actually the smoothest part of the ground. Furthermore, Jeff complained about being put at fine leg – Naren explained that Jeff was put there because he is "the worst fielder in the side". Jeff's japes did not end there either as during the Exiles innings he was much troubled by a bee, which chased him around the field. After the match Jeff also claimed that he had been moving from his position in the field because he had been asked to field squarer two weeks ago and the captain should make up his mind where he wanted him to field.

Jon Taylor and Keith opened the batting against some fairly fierce, but not particularly accurate fast bowling and played excellently to put on a record-equalling 117 for the first wicket in only 20 overs. Keith had his thumb broken and was caught behind shortly afterwards for 51. Mark Bradshaw kept the momentum before holing out for 27. The late dismissal of Davies and Jon Taylor did not check the run-rate as Amil struck three successive fours to see us home by six wickets. Man of the match for his fine innings of 94 was Jon Taylor.

ENERGY EXILES V BRIXTON CASUALS 20/7/03 All sort of batting records were broken by the Exiles as they thrashed the usually very strong Brixton Casuals by 121 runs. Jon Taylor made a club record score of 131, putting on a club record partnership for any wicket of 160, with the more sedate Dom Herrington, whose share was 46. Despite a wobbly patch around the 80 mark, Jon played superbly against a range of bowlers – the opening pair were very good indeed. Amil Patel and Mark Bradshaw chipped in with late runs as the Exiles closed on 242 for 5.

The Brixton Casuals were never really in the hunt as they batted too rashly early on against Matt Cook (3 for 44). The Thomas “brothers”, Martin and Gwyn, then ran through the middle order and it was only the last wicket partnership which got the Casuals’ score into three figures. Man of the match was Jon Taylor for a deserved hundred.

ENERGY EXILES V AGRICOLA 27/7/03 Again Jon Taylor was in fine form with the bat, top scoring with 81 as Exiles easily triumphing by 81 runs against a good Agricola side. Taylor was well supported by Davies (17), Wingfield, and an extremely sensible 43 from Amil Patel as the Exiles closed on 194 all out.

Wingfield and Cook both took early wickets, but the real damage was done by Pablo Palao with 4 for 22, including the dangerous Steve Thody, as Agricola struggled on a turning wicket to 107 all out. The Exiles catching was outstanding throughout in probably one of our best ever fielding performances. Man of the match for the third week on the trot was Jon Taylor.

ENERGY EXILES V NORTH CROYDON 3/8/03 After six seasons and about 12 fixtures of trying, the Exiles finally overcome their greatest ever hoodoo to beat North Croydon for the first time ever. Wil Scott (30), Sam Scott (21), and Quentin Davies (31) all made runs as the Exiles put up a reasonable score of 150.

Stuart Devlin’s brother, Mark, opened the attack for the Exiles and was quickly in the wickets smashing “Flintoff’s” stumps early on and giving all the North Croydon difficulties with his pace. Stuart would have been proud as Mark finished with 5 for 30. Sam Scott polished off the innings with wickets in consecutive balls as North Croydon paid the price for letting one of their players leave early because they thought they would not be required. Man of the match was Mark Devlin.

ENERGY EXILES V WANDSWORTH MECHANICS 10/8/03 In temperatures of over 100 degrees, Keith Roberts wisely elected to bat on a dry wicket against the West Indians of Wandsworth Mechanics. Protecting his recent broken thumb, Keith batted down the order as Mark Bradshaw (55) and Wil Scott (40) put on a record-breaking 121 for the first wicket against some fast, but often wild bowling. The Exiles then collapsed against Wandsworth’s spinner with Keith Roberts only offering much resistance with an unbeaten 20. I should mention Jeff Hilson hitting his first ball for six, though.

Wandsworth failed to offer much resistance as they succumbed to 70 all out. Naren Patel with 3 for 6 had the best bowling figures, but Andy Wingfield and Jeff Hilson also bowled well. Man of the match was top scorer Mark Bradshaw. ENERGY EXILES V CAYTHORPE 15/8/03 The Exiles run of five consecutive victories ended on the first day of the annual tour with an ignominious defeat to Caythorpe. The batting was largely to blame as a series of poor shots against steady bowling led us to collapse to 132 all out with only Wil Scott (32), Pablo Palao (22), and Andy Wingfield (17no) offering much resistance.

Opening bowlers Matt Cook and Andy Wingfield made little impression and it was left to Gwyn Thomas (3 for 26) to provide the most threat. Sam Scott completed a hat-trick over two matches and Pablo Palao bowled accurately, but Caythorpe easily passed their target for the loss of four wickets. Man of the match was Gwyn Thomas.

ENERGY EXILES V NEWAGE 16/8/03 Newage recruited Mark Bradshaw to their line-up for this fixture and Mark opened the batting with the Newage stalwart Mick “Damn Seagulls” Stanton. After hitting one boundary, Mark rashly cut straight to cover (shouting “Thanks Andy” as he did so) where Jon Taylor caught the ball between his legs. After playing two beautifully timed late-cuts off Matt Cook, Mick Stanton was tragically run out to leave Newage in some trouble. The Newage No. 3 then made a fine 75 to get a competitive total. Joe Farrington-Douglas (2 for 29) bowled well in the middle of the innings before the Newage tail did its usual “folding” trick as Matt Cook took a hat-trick with Newage finishing on 141 all out.

Keith Roberts and Jon Taylor batted very well against some testing from the Morris brothers and some rather surreal comments and goings-on in the field from Newage. After surviving a very close lbw shout against Newage’s left-armer, Jon Taylor hit Robin Elston for six fours in one over to put the result beyond doubt. Steve Morris dismissed Keith Roberts with a shooter for 42, but JT saw us home with an unbeaten 79. Man of the match was Matt Cook taking a hat-trick and 4 for 16 after recovering off his difficult start against “Damn Seagulls”.

ENERGY EXILES V GREAT DALBY 17/8/03 In the final match of the tour, Exiles faced a strong Great Dalby side who played on a “ridge and furrow” outfield. Against a medium-pace opening attack, Bradshaw and Davies struggled to begin with with Davies holing out in the eighth over. Dom Herrington (42) helped increase the run rate and get Bradshaw going (64) before Keith Roberts (21 – including a straight six) and Jon Taylor (64no from 41 balls including a huge six over mid-wicket) really hit the bowling around as the Exiles finished on 207 for 4.

Despite Exiles’ prayers to Jeff, Great Dalby made a very sound early response putting on 90 for the first wicket in good time. Sam Scott bowled a fourteen over spell of 4 for 56 to keep Dalby in check and was well supported by Gwyn Thomas (1 for 51) and Dom Herrington (1 for 34). The bowlers were well supported by the fielders with Jon Taylor taking a fine running catch. The outstanding performance though, was from Joe Farrington-Douglas as he fielded magnificently on the deep mid-wicket boundary right in the middle of the “ridge and furrow” (what would Jeff have done?). It is for this performance Joe wins the Man of the Match award as the Exiles closed down the Dalby tail to triumph by 20 runs. ENERGY EXILES V CAMRA 24/8/03 Matt Cook took 4 for 15 and was well supported by Jeff Hilson and Martin Thomas as CAMRA limped to 117 for 8. Hilson, having watched some Jonty Rhodes coaching lessons, was a revelation in the field, making two run-outs and a catch to make up for one or two performances below earlier in the season. Jeff clearly benefited from fielding in the infield, rather than on the boundary where he has been known to fall asleep.

The Exiles lost Mark Bradshaw early on, but Amil Patel against demonstrated his good cricket brain during a sensible 16. Quentin Davies played some brutal shots in an undefeated 19 and with Man of the match Keith Roberts (53 not out) easily saw us through to an eight-wicket victory.

ENERGY EXILES V BRITISH LIBRARY 31/8/03 The Exiles bowled steadily to keep British Library down to a manageable total of 164 for 6. Main wicket-taker was Nick Creak (3 for 58), who dismissed the dangerous Nitin Radia first ball as Radia hit the ball straight up in the air.

The Exiles struggled in response, stuttering to 49 for 3 with Roberts, Davies, and Amil Patel all falling cheaply. Debutant Andrew Rathie (78no) and Andrew Sammut (49no) then saw us home for the loss of no further wickets as they added a record 116 for the third wicket. Man of the match Rathie took a particular heavy toll on Radia’s bowling and the elderly Ken Price was battered in his two overs.

ENERGY EXILES V MORDEN CORINTHIANS 6/9/03 The Exiles fielded first against Morden and put in a fine all-round bowling performance to dismiss them for 144. Cook, Wingfield, Naren Patel, and Joe Farrington-Douglas were among the wickets, while Martin Thomas had the best figures of 3 for 33.

Keith Roberts and Mark Bradshaw put on a record 124 for the first wicket, seeing off Pinkney’s devilish spinners before Bradshaw was bowled playing a rather rash reverse sweep for 55. Keith Roberts and Wil Scott then saw us home with no further alarms. Man of the match for his unbeaten 64.

ENERGY EXILES V WICC 14/9/03 WICC elected to bat on a very dry wicket and Andy Wingfield bowled a very wild first over, conceding 12 runs, but redeemed himself with a wicket from the last ball. Andy continued to bowl a mixture of some unplayable and some less good deliveries, taking 5 for 44 to rip through the WICC top order. As usual the WICC tail wagged before Gwyn Thomas (2 for 30) and Robin Airey (1 for 8) dismissed them for 153.

Keith Roberts and Mark Bradshaw started scratchily against the WICC opening attack before they were dismissed. Nick Creak (41no) and Dom Herrington (34) then put the Exiles on top. Robin Airey almost took us home with a cameo of 18 before Creak hit the winning runs for a six-wicket victory, thus ending our best season ever with a winning streak of six matches. Man of the match was Andy Wingfield.