NORTHAMPTON Exiles 1st XI were frustrated on Saturday as Langleybury 2nd XI's tail supported H Dave (50*) to deny Exiles victory in their Saracens Herts Cricket League Div 4 fixture. Exiles made a sticky start after winning the toss and batting, and slumped from 25-0 to 65-5 after the early introduction of spinner M Stone (3-78). They were rescued by a patient knock from Paul Frost (47) who shared a 7th wicket stand of 51 with Wayne Lawler (30*) as Exiles eventually reached 156-7. R Bell (37) hit hard to begin Langleybury's reply, but Haroon Akhtar (7-42) took the first six wickets and Adrian Browne (2-25) chipped in to have Langleybury struggling at 92-8 with 14 overs left, but, even with three overs at the last pair, Exiles saw Langleybury bat out time at 121-9. Northampton Exiles slip to second in Division 4, just 2 points behind Southgate Adelaide.

Exiles 2nd XI had a good win at Harpenden Dolphins to take closer order in Division 9.

With Nathan Knox (46) and Bernie Bower (39) sharing an opening partnership of 63, and runs in the middle order from Ian Montague (22) and Rizwan Badar (38*), Exiles totalled 204-7 and proceeded to dismiss Dolphins for 88, with only one batsman reaching double figures. Knox (2-32) and Ken Thomas (1-18) started off the collapse, with Corin Hosier (3-21), Badar (1-5), Salman Butt (2-2) and Montague (1-3) sharing in Exiles' 116-run victory.

Exiles 3rd XI fought hard against high-flying Pirton in Div 11 before going down by 10 runs with just over two overs remaining. Astley Tomlinson (2-15) and Dharmesh Patel (3-35) did best as Exiles restricted Pirton to 164-9, but Exiles' unsuccessful chase was hampered by run-outs to Mayuk Chakravarti (55) and Jaydip Desai (20) as they were dismissed for 154 in the 41st over.

On Saturday, Exiles 1st XI travel to Hatfield Hyde, while both the 2nd XI and 3rd XI are at home, respectively to Potters Bar 4th XI and North Mymms 4th XI.