Northampton Exiles' 1st XI's unbeaten run in Div 4 of the Saracens Herts Cricket League came to an end in the 13th League game of the season as they went down by eight wickets at Watton-at-Stone.

Put in by the home side, Exiles found progress difficult against a nagging attack that was well supported in the field.

After David Taylor (24) and Paul Frost had compiled a cautious opening partnership of 26, Exiles lost wickets to M Cakebread (3-68) and T Drake (1-21) to be 46-4, but seemed to be mounting a recovery when they stood at 83-5. Then B Williams (4-29) took three wickets in the space of an over to reduce Exiles to 84-8.

Wayne Lawler (33) and a disciplined Harit Patel (24*) managed to retrieve some of the ground with a stand of 57, but Lawler's narrow run out as his attempted second run was scuppered by an accurate throw from the deep was quickly followed by the loss of the last wicket and Exiles were all out for 141 in the 47th over. For once, Exiles bowlers were taken on by the bold strokeplay of O Dwyer (61 off 58 balls) who dominated an opening stand of 85 in 21 overs before he played on to Steve Langellier (1-30).

Although they bowled and fielded steadily, Exiles' only further success came just before the end when O Dalrymple (46) was bowled by a persevering Adrian Browne (1-28 in 16 overs), leaving Williams (30*) to strike the winning runs and ease Watton-at-Stone to victory at 143-2 with a dozen overs remaining.

Exiles do still lead Div 4, but face their top four rivals, together with two other clubs who are in a tightly-bunched middle order with aspirations towards promotion, in their last six games.