Exiles sit bottom after defeat (From Enfield Independent)

Northampton Exiles sit bottom after Met Police Bushey defeat

10:00am Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Sport

Northampton Exiles sit bottom of Saracens Herts Cricket League Division Three after an 85-run defeat to Met Police Bushey.

After inserting their opponents, Exiles made a good start as Haroon Akhtar (six for 58) and Mehul Shah (three for 33) reduced Bushey to 64 for seven.

However, a ninth wicket partnership of 58 meant Met Police posted a total of 147 all out.

Exiles struggled in their reply and were at four for two after two overs. Wickets continued to tumble and Bushey bowled out their opponents for just 62.

Amar Patel (14) and Shaun Lawler (19) were the only Northampton batsman to reach double figures.

Despite a much-improved display on Sunday, Exiles bowed out of the Readers Herts Trophy after a two-wicket defeat at St Albans West Indian.

The visitors batted first and there were solid performances throughout the innings to get Northampton to 142 from 34 overs.

The Exiles bowlers made early inroads with two quick wickets but Martin Hackshaw (41) and Dwight Alexander (48) shared a partnership of 84 to put St Albans on track.

Despite a mini-collapse in the middle order, the hosts reached their target with five balls remaining.

Exiles Seconds had to settle for a draw against Met Police Bushey Seconds.

Consistent batting, although only Tony O'Neill (41) passed 30, saw good contributions from Nimai Amin (28), Robbie Gibson (23), James Cook (28) and debutant Hamza Raja (17) as Exiles totalled 195 for nine.

Two early wickets from Corin Hosier (two for 34) gave Exiles hope but they couldn’t breakthrough late on and Met Police finished on 160 for eight.

Exiles Thirds had an impressive seven-wicket victory over Hatfield Crusaders Seconds.

Northampton dismissed Crusaders for only 43 and reached their target with little fuss.