Exiles poor season ends with defeat (From Enfield Independent)

Northampton Exiles poor season ends with defeat against Harpenden Seconds

10:30am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport

Already relegated Northampton Exiles ended their Saracens Herts Cricket League Division Eight season with an eight-wicket defeat against Harpenden Seconds.

Harpenden won the toss and inserted Exiles. It proved to be the correct decision as bowlers Christopher Arnold (two for 27) of Guy Watts (seven for 46) worked their way through the batting order to skittle Exiles with just 85 on the board.

Paul Frost (18) and Harit Patel (16) top scored for Northampton.

In reply, Harpenden’s David Whiteley took charge early on and played the key role in the innings with a knock of 32 not out.

Simon Wade added 15 before falling to Mehul Shah (one for 24) and Barry Francis scored 18 as Harpenden reached their target for the loss of two wickets.

Northampton Exiles Seconds secured their place in Division Eight with a nine-wicket victory against bottom side Chipperfield Clarendon Thirds.

After losing the toss and being asked to field by Chipperfield, Exiles' Sid Patel (six for 31) and Ali Awan (three for 56) reduced the Clarendon batting line-up to 62 for eight.

Jon Fitzgerald (40 not out) and Mick Webb (51) shared a partnership of 84 for the ninth wicket to get Chipperfield to a final total of 162 all out.

After losing an early wicket, Exiles took control with an undefeated stand of 157 for the second wicket by Steve Plum (71 not out) and Krishan Naik (77 not out) which took them to 163 for one with 16 overs to spare.

On Sunday, Exiles ‘A’ side were beaten by six wickets in a friendly against London Maccabi Vale.

A dominant performance from Amar Patel (84) sustained the Exiles innings which ended on a disappointing 148.

Vale then eased to their target with little fuss as they chased down the total with eight overs to spare.

Micky Deller (one for 22) bowled tidily for Exiles and Prasad Manjrekar (two for 35) picked up two wickets in an over.