Upminster's recent good form continued as they eased past Harold Wood in Saturday's local derby at Harold Wood Park. Having been thwarted by the rain (remember when it rained) on the first day of the season Upminster had no such problems this time as they picked up a crucial win.

Ejaz Khan was the star with the ball as his 6-45 ripped out the Wood top order. Ollie Peck and Louis Pickering then picked up two wickets apiece as Wood were bundled out for 159. Number nine Juwel Roy top scored for Wood with 48. In reply Farid and Kiran Kullar put together an excellent second wicket partnership after Shahbaz had fallen early on. Farid eventually fell for 68 but Kullar remained to finish on 37 not out, and with support from Alan Ison and then James Evans, Upminster picked up a five wicket win. (Scorecard)

There was a remarkable game in the reverse fixture at Upminster Park. 10 of Wood's batsmen made double figures as the visitors made use of the lightening fast outfield to pile up 282-9 in the early afternoon sun. Billy Wright and Mark Schofield claimed three wickets each for the home side. Upminster fell to 32-5 in reply and the game looked all over, but Harry Jenkins remained at the crease and found a willing ally in Nicky Ison. Jenkins cut loose and hit 23 fours and 4 sixes in a remarkable 132 ball knock of 166. Ison made a watchful 35 as Upminster fought back but both fell before the finish line had been reached. However, Billy Wright and Mark D'Cruz held their nerve to see the home side to a one wicket win with four balls to spare. (Scorecard)

There was an even more remarkable game as the 3rd XI maintained their unbeaten record with a tie at Harlow. Oliver White picked up three wickets for Josh Lamont's side but 94 from Amir Farooq and 55 from Daniel Stopp enabled Harlow to use all of their overs and make a more than useful 237-9. Steve Limn (48) continued his remarkable recent form and with brother Ant (47) also going nicely Upminster looked in control of the chase. However, a cluster of wickets left the game in the balance before 45 from Matt McCarthy put Upminster back in charge. When he fell though 34 were needed off less than 5 overs and the match was on a knife edge. With 7 runs needed from the last over and 3 needed from the final ball, Paul Middlemiss and Ellis Pickering scrambled 2 to leave the game tied. (Scorecard)

The 4th XI contrived to lose to Old Southendians after twice being in a winning position. Matt Wilson made 72 for the Old Boys, but 4-34 from Rob Bannister put Upminster in charge as the visitors fell to 162-8. However, some late hitting enabled Southendians to get up to a challenging 218 all out. Upminster lost two wickets early in their reply, but excellent half centuries from captain Stewart Hammond and Trey Collinge swung the game in the home side's favour.
When they fell Bannister and Paul Stratton took the score to 178-4 but a late collapse allowed Southendians to claim a win by 11 runs. (Scorecard)

It was a tough afternoon for an understaffed 5th XI as they were heavily beaten by Buckhurst Hill 4s. Only Michael Jones and Nathan Brown made it to double figures as Karim Govani's men were bundled out for just 57. Jones picked up a wicket in the Hill reply but it couldn't stop Upminster falling to a nine wicket loss. (Scorecard)

The nine men of the 6th XI put up a tremendous fight against Chingford 4s but in the end it was not quite enough for victory. Skipper Mike Larke made 58 and Ben Kinder 38 as Larke's men posted 186-7 from their 40 overs. Despite a valiant effort in the field Chingford eventually picked up a seven wicket win. (Scorecard)

On Sunday the Sunday League side picked up an excellent win at Chelmsford in a game reduced to 20 overs per side. Mark D'Cruz was the pick of the Upminster attack as Chelmsford were held to 132-4. Kiran Kullar, Josh Lamont, John Curtis and Dan Tyler all contributed with the bat, and despite a late wobble they won by four wickets with a ball to spare. (Scorecard)