Shaun Lawler's decision to put Totteridge Millhillians Seconds into bat first paid dividends as Northampton Exiles won by two wickets on Saturday.

Exiles won the toss in their Herts League Division Three encounter and choose to field. The game began with Exiles dropping several chances from Millhillans' left-handed opener Muhammad Warsi, who went on to make 73.

Warsi, supported by Doug Pyrke (14), Sarfraz Ashmad (10) and Haris Ali Soomro (19), led Totteridge to a score of 137 for three by the 37th over.

But the wickets finally began to tumble, largely thanks to Steve Langellier (five for 30), and Totteridge were eventually dismissed for 161 in the 47th over.

Exiles had plenty of time to reach the target set by the visitors, and made a solid start as Dave Taylor and Tyrone Lawler made 34 and 24 respectively. The openers put on a partnership of 64 before Taylor finally fell to Rizwan Siddiqui (three for 28).

Lawler and Amar Patel (15) soon followed, and when Haroon Akhtar (15) and Shaun Lawler (5) were dismissed in quick succession, Exiles were on 119 for five, needing 43 to win.

Kasim Shammin (18) began to ease the pressure but was dismissed with the scores level, setting up a tense finale.

In an attempt to run Robbie Gibson (5 not out) out, the ball flew to the boundary, giving Exiles victory at 166 for eight with eight overs remaining.

Exiles second and thirds XIs however, could not emulate the first team's success.

The second team lost by 51 runs to Knebworth Park Fourths in Division Eight.

Exiles managed to bowl Knebworth out for 175, a total hugely down to Oliver Pitts (82 not out). Corin Hosier (four for 59) was at the heart of Exiles' bowling, supported by Dharmesh Patel (one for 20), Mrunal Shridhar (one for 37), Jason Manning (two for 28) and Hemil Patel (one for 24).

Chasing the total, Exiles made a positive start to the reply as Amit Naik (24) and Bernie Bower (14) amassed 40 runs before the first wicket fell.

However, from 87 for four, they lost four wickets to young bowlers Luke Chapman (four for 28) and Ben Childs (three for 28) without a run being scored, and despite a valliant effort from Corin Hosier (28 not out) Exiles were all out for 124.

Meanwhile, Exiles Thirds went down by 40 runs to Division 11 leaders Hertford Fourths.

Zain Mughal (five for 63) bowled unchanged as Hertford scored 202 for nine, thanks to Alex Carter's 92.

Despite contributions from Mark Chakravarti (45) and Rasim Bhutt (36), Exiles were bowled out for 162.

On Saturday, the first XI, who are currently seventh, travel to Division Three leaders Letchworth Seconds.

The seconds, who are 12th, visit third-placed Botany Bay Seconds, while the thirds are home to Potton Town Seconds.