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It was a mixed weekend for Upminster's senior sides.
The 1st XI came agonisingly close to a crucial victory over Hainault and Clayhall. Upminster's bowlers did an excellent job to restrict Hainault to 242-7 from their 50 overs, on a good track at Upminster Park. John Curtis took 3-41 in his ten over spell, and Nick O'Dell picked up 1-38 in an excellent ten over effort. In reply Alan Ison and Shaffiq Rahman put Upminster into a good position but a middle order collapse left them in trouble. Ollie Peck and Mark Squibb then put together an excellent 8th wicket partnership to put Upminster back in with a chance, but Umad Sultan kept his nerve in the last over and picked up the last wicket from the 5th ball of the over to give Hainault a 5 run victory.
A young 2nd XI were well beaten in their contest at Chingford. Steve Mack, Paul Bussey and James Aggio-Brewe got Upminster off to a good start with double figure contributions, but a middle order collapse left them in trouble, and only Rob Mack and Billy Bilton did anything to halt the Chingford bowlers as they were bowled out for 146. In reply a half century from Billy Rhone helped lead the home side to a seven wicket victory.
Premier Division status for next season looks a lot more likely for the 3rd XI after their excellent victory away at fellow strugglers West Essex. After losing Matt Tigg and Harry Jenkins early on, Adam Quested (67), Chris Cully (56) and Jamie O'Dell (25) helped Upminster to set a challenging target of 205. West got off to a solid start but Rob White picked up three wickets in the middle order, and with support from Tigg and Quested, Upminster were able to bowl out the home side for 185 and record a 20 run win.
The 4th XI were frustrated by Walthamstow 3s in their encounter at Coopers School. A fine century from veteran Paul Stratton was the mainstay of the Upminster innings as they reached 219-7 from their 52 overs. Stow struggled in reply against Jordan Tigg and Kevin Roome, and lost wickets at regular intervals. However, 52 not out from Qam Farooq held the Upminster bowlers at bay as the visitors clung on at 152-9.
The 5th XI were also held to a draw by fellow strugglers Hutton 4s in their crunch relegation clash at the Polo Ground. Batting first, Paul Middlemiss (63), Nicky Ison (62) and Rob Tuffee (52 no) were all in the runs as Upminster were able to declare early on 253-7 from just 43 overs. Nicky Ison struck early in the Hutton reply to put the home side on the back foot, and from that point Hutton were left hoping to secure the draw. Ison ended up with 4 wickets, and Ant Limn with 3, thanks to some excellent close catches, but a marathon innings from Hutton skipper Jim Lynch which saw him end of 29 not out, left Upminster frustrated as Hutton held on at 169 for 9, from a mammoth 59 overs.
Paul Scott's 6th XI fell to a 4 wicket defeat against West Essex. Upminster were skittled out for just 113 and West reached their target despite a few alarms and despite 5-43 from the returning Mark Schofield.
On Sunday a record first wicket stand saw Upminster to victory over Billericay in their final game of the Essex Sunday League Season. Chasing 270 for victory, Mark Squibb and Andrew D'Cruz reached the target without losing a wicket, in just 33 overs!!!
Anthony Vine made 47 as the Sunday 3s lost away at Epping, while the Academy side recorded an excellent victory in their game at North Enfield. |
