The 2015 season was a frustrating one at Upminster, although the final few weeks of the season produced a number of positive results and sent everyone away for the winter looking more positively towards 2016.

With five weeks of the season to go there was a possibility that all six Saturday League sides could finish in the bottom two of their respective divisions, including most worryingly the 1st XI. However a number of good performances in August and September ended with all but one side, the 3rd XI, climbing the table to avoid the drop. The 3rd XI were then saved from relegation due to an administrative error by Buckhurst Hill. While this was a far from satisfactory way to avoid the drop it should be noted that the Team’s points total would have seem them finish I mid-table in many other divisions. The 1st XI struggled for much of the Year, with a young side coming up just short on a number of occasions, most notably in a last over loss to Hutton, which looked for some time like it may prove costly. However, two miraculous August victories against Orsett and Hadleigh, followed by drawn games with Harlow and Hainault meant survival came down to a last day shoot out with Hutton, with a number of other Clubs also involved in a six team fight to beat the drop. A real team batting performance helped Upminster to a score of 200 before two real Upminster men, Captain John Curtis and Nick O’Dell took five wickets each to blow Hutton away and guarantee Division One cricket in 2016.

It was most fitting that John played such a big part in the win, as he had captained the Team with great enthusiasm and heart throughout the season. He also did a great job of introducing a number of young players into the side. 16 year old Will Chuter opened the bowling for most of the season, while fellow 16 year olds Frankie Hazel and Louis Pickering were also regulars in the Team and Ollie Heazle also appeared. As well as these young players there was also some long hoped for consistency from Harry Jenkins who had his best season for the 1st XI as well as the normal stack of runs from Alan Ison, and a return to form of veteran Shaffiq Rahman. Shabhaz Butt was absent for most of the season but played a crucial innings in the win at Hadleigh on his return. With the ball the captain led the way, having to bowl a huge number of overs, and there were good contributions from Matt Tigg and O’Dell.

Alan Ison has taken on the captaincy for the 2016 season and it is hoped he will lead by example and be able to build upon the impressive finish to 2015.

It was an up and down year for Nicky Ison’s 2nd XI before they eventually claimed another top half finish in the Premier Division. Consistency and availability were the biggest frustration, but there were a number of impressive individual performances once again, the most memorable being the development of Billy Wright. Having started the season as 4th XI captain, Billy was called into the 2nd XI for the game at Chingford and the rest is history, including a remarkable three wickets in one over during an impressive mid-season win at Colchester!!! As well as Billy’s efforts it is also worth noting the emergence of 15 year old Josh Lamont who excelled in his all-rounders role, and also the batting skills of Will Epsom who joined the club during the season and soon became a rock in the middle order. Jack O’Dowd impressed on his return from Hainault, while Adam Quested’s keeping impressed once again. The captain himself showed his skills with bat and ball while veterans Andrew Berry and Dan Tyler were continued to show impressive commitment and enthusiasm. Once again the biggest positive was the performances of our young players in the side with Miles Timotie, Jordan Tigg and Alex Ward all impressing alongside Lamont. And on the final day of the season Louis Pickering made his maiden senior century with a stunning knock at South Woodford.

Nicky will be continuing in his role in 2016 where the side will look to close in further on the top places in Premier Division.

The 3rd XI season was a bizarre one. No wins for the first five weeks of the season, three wins in a row to follow, then another winless run, two low scoring wins and then a final day defeat in a relegation decider where having been 40-0 chasing 157 for victory the team collapsed once again. Matters off the pitch saved the side from relegation but they will have to improve in 2016. With the bat there was no consistency at all, with only old boys Paul Middlemiss, Stewart Hammond and Pete Thompson passing 200 runs. Dan Tyler and Mark Schofield made some pleasing contributions when in the side but there was generally a lack of thought and discipline with the bat. Performances with the ball were a little better, but were really confined to three men. Captain Mark D’Cruz, along with Ollie Peck and Karim Govani performed heroics throughout the summer but they did not have much support to back them up!!!

“Grumpy” will be continuing as captain in 2016 and he will have learnt a lot from his first season in charge, which will benefit him and the team going forward.

It was yet another last day escape for the 4th XI, their fourth in as many years!!! With Ilford losing to South Woodford, Upminster’s thrilling win over local rivals Hornchurch saved them from the drop. It was a somewhat difficult season for the side, with original captain Billy Wright moving up to the 2nd XI and four others skippering the side at various times of the season. Availability from the sides above meant a huge number of different players were in the side at some point, meaning a lack of consistency and momentum. The highlight of the season was the emergence of young opener Alfie James who made three half centuries and averaged in the mid-twenties. He was well supported by Mike Larke and Steve Limn, but runs were hard to come by for others. With the ball it was the evergreen Kevin Roome who led the way, and he was backed up by Big Dave Cowley and youngsters Ollie White and George Sadek. Tom Daniels, Jake Giddings and Tom Larke also impressed with bat and ball, and with a permanent captain in place for next season, hopes are high that a another escape act will not be needed come September!!!

The 5th XI started slowly but finished well under the leadership of Alex “Rodney” Bottoms. The captain himself did well with the bat, defying his critics along the way, and he had excellent support from 15 year old Matt McCarthy and 12 year old Kiran Kullar. Kiran’s performances, from one so young, astounded many observers and he is one to watch for the future. Rafe Smallman and Mark Hortop joined the Club at the start of the Year and they added some much needed experience and grit to the side, with Mark moving on to the 4th X and also claiming the Club’s Batsman of the Year award. Under 15s Nathan Bright and Jamie Squance shone with the ball, with Jamie playing in all 18 league games during 2016. Alex and his side will be looking to move up the table next summer.

Paul Scott once again spent his Friday night’s on the phone or calling in favours to ensure the 6th XI ran smoothly during 2016!!! After many year’s struggling in a higher division the Team found themselves at a more suitable level and they enjoyed their cricket a lot more for it. A number of colts parents and older players came back to the game, or tried if for the first time, and this provided Paul with a more balances side than in previous Years. Youngsters Ryan Brown, Will Frost, Joe Soulsby and Sam Twine impressed while the captain and the returning Casey Adams were also amongst the runs and wickets. 2016 will see “Scotty” at the helm again, continuing the excellent job he has done for many Years.

The 7th XI were in friendly action just twice in 2015, due to lack of availability and lack of opposition. Glen Ashby led the side to two wins in the games they did play, and they hope to play more games in 2016.

In cup competitions there was a frustrating campaign in the T20 event, with just two games played (one won and one lost) while there were early exits in the League Cup and National Cup. The Sunday League side were unfortunately relegated from the Premier Division in what was a somewhat fragmented season. Just four games were completed, due to weather and a concession, which meant the side finished second from bottom.

The Sunday Friendly XI played on almost every Sunday and enjoyed themselves at various grounds, and pubs, around Essex and beyond. Karim Govani did a great job running the side and giving different players the chance to play with people from various different Saturday elevens.

As can be seen in the reports above, the Club continues to produce a number of promising young players, and this is due to the ever expanding and improving Junior Section. In 2015 the Club had 13 girls and boys squads, providing cricket to local children from 5 years old and upwards. Around 100 games were played against other clubs, along with our younger sides competing in a number of festivals around the County. For the fourth season in a row the Matchplay side progressed from the first stage, before they exited at the second group stage after being given a very tough group. Team Co-Ordinator Darren Sadek has taken the boys from U10s right through to U16s and we thank him for his work. The U15A side retained the Havering League title while the U11A side claimed their Havering League for the first time in years. We also had three sides progress to the knockout stages of the Met Competitions, while the U13A side were unlucky not to progress to the knockout phase of the Peter Coe Cup. All of this would not be possible without the excellent work of our team of coaches, led by Freddie Butt, and the Team Co-Ordinators who carry out so much administration and form filling to make cricket possible.

As well as our own junior coaching programme Freddie and Martin Davies also deliver coaching to several local schools as part of the Chance 2 Shine project and we must thank the Essex County Cricket Board and the Cricket Foundation for their continued support in this area.

August 16th once again saw an Essex XI visit Upminster Park, this year in aid of Ravi Bopara’s Benefit Year. The day was once again a huge success for everyone involved and we must thank Ravi for bringing along such a strong side, and Arfan Akram for helping to arrange the game. Of course, the day would not be possible without all of our match sponsors who were very generous in their support once again, and also the huge team of volunteers who give up their time before, during and after the game to make these matches such great occasions.

To run a Club such as Upminster a huge amount of time and effort is required from a number of people, without whom things just wouldn’t function. There are to many to list on one report but special mention must go to Stuart Hulbert and Gwynne Mack. Stuart was a deserving winner of the Keith Martin Club Member of the Year award for his work this Year, and in many previous year’s with the colts section. Stuart looks after our youngest junior side, The Minis, and carries out hours of work and administration to ensure these young players get their first taste of cricket. On top of this Stuart assists with the summer and winter junior coaching programmes giving up his time throughout the Year. Gwynne stood down as Chairman at our recent AGM, after 5 years in the role, and his work and wisdom will be missed by all at the Club. All Club members would like to thank Gwynne for his efforts over the past few years and hope that he continues to be involved with the Club moving forward.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their generosity in 2015 as well as thanking all volunteers and helpers including Tea Ladies, scorers, umpires, groundsmen and anyone else who makes cricket at Upminster and beyond possible.

Ollie Peck takes over as Club Chairman for the 2016 season and will no doubt have many fresh ideas and initiatives to help move the Club forward. The last two or three seasons have been frustrating in many respects, but with a number of promising young players coming through the elevens on the pitch, and a committed group of volunteers and committee members off the field, the next few years look promising.