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2016 SEASON REVIEW - July

2016 SEASON REVIEW - July

Kevin Roome12 Nov 2016 - 15:00
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A look back at the 2016 Season

Having started the month at the top of Division One the 1st XI went on an amazing run through July as they took a huge step towards promotion back to the Premier Division. They began the month with a convincing win at Harlow. Harlow made 254-5 from their 50 overs, but chasing a reduced target (due to the weather) Upminster cruised to a seven wicket win with captain Alan Ison making a fine 64 not out. Shahbaz was in the runs a week later as he made 61 against Orsett, and with eight other batsmen making double figures, including a half century from Shaff Rahman, Upminster were able to pile up 279-8 at Upminster Park. Orsett were never in the game, and Connor Whetstone picked up three wickets as Upminster bowled out Orsett for 203 to avenge their opening day defeat.

The 16th July was a blip for the 1st XI as they suffered a narrow defeat at Hadleigh. Everything seemed to be going well as Hadleigh were bowled out for 149 with Whetstone and Matt Tigg picking up three wickets each. However, Upminster slumped from 63-1 to 110 all out and lost by 39 runs. Upminster bounced back a week later though with a crucial win over promotion chasing Southend. Julian Whetstone top scored with 48 and Upminster struggled to 181. It proved to be a good enough total though as John Curtis took 3-14 from 7 overs to help Upminster to a 55 run victory.

The 1st XI finished the month with a thrilling win in the local derby at Harold Wood. Shabhaz made 87 and Harry Jenkins made 57 not out as Upminster reached 226-7 on a difficult track at Harold Wood Park. The game looked done as Wood were reduced to 160-9. Wood skipper Richard Brabner had other ideas though as he began to thrash the Upminster bowlers to all parts. With support from Harry Thompson the deficit began to erode before Curtis returned to remove Brabner and Upminster won by 13 runs.

The 2nd XI began the month with a rain affected win at Ilford, mainly thanks to 79 from James Evans, but they slumped to defeat a week later at Wanstead. Max Carter Miller took four wickets during an impressive spell, but he couldn't stop Wanstead making 293-8 as a huge partnership between Bilal Patel and Matthew Smith took the game away from Upminster. Evans made a fine 98 in reply before unfortunately being run out as Upminster were dismissed for 212.

James Gerritse took four wickets on the 16th July as the 2nd XI took on Chelmsford, but Chelmsford made 247-7 and an understrength Upminster were then bowled out for 147. However, a fine all round performance at Southend a week later gave Upminster a much needed win. Nick O'Dell's 74 and 48 not out from the skipper Nicky Ison helped Upminster to 249-7. In reply Billy Wright claimed three wickets as Southend were restricted to 224-8 to to give Upminster the win. The month ended in defeat though, after a high scoring loss to Colchester. Colchester's 279-8 proved to much for Upminster who were bowled out for 254 in the penultimate over, despite half centuries from Rob Waghorn and Ollie Peck.

The 3rd XI began July with hopes of claiming their maiden Premier Division title, but two defeats in the first two weeks of the month put paid to those plans. At Wanstead an understrength Upminster were beaten by the league leaders by six wickets despite Waghorn's 50, and a week later at Woodford Wells despite four batsmen passing 30 Upminster couldn't chase down the home side's total of 315-8.
Pete Thompson and Mark Schofield were in the runs a week later as Upminster overcame Loughton at Coopers, but a poor batting display a week later against Chelmsford saw them slip to another defeat despite the bowling efforts of Arun Kullar and Mark D'Cruz. They did finish the month on a high though as Jordan Tigg made a wonderful 97 not out and D'Cruz picked up four more wickets in a 40 run win over Brentwood.

July was a struggle for the 4th XI and they began with a defeat against Southend. Jamie O'Dell's 75 enabled Upminster to reach a competitive 224-8 but Southend cruised to a five wicket win. O'Dell made 44 a week later, and Nathan Bright claimed three wickets, but the result was the same as they suffered another five wicket defeat, this time to local rivals Hornchurch.

A crucial game a week later saw Upminster face Harold Wood, but a poor performance saw them slip to a 76 run defeat, before a much improved performance a week later against Chelmsford. Tom Daniels picked up 4-54 as Chelmsford were bowled out for 241 and Paul Stratton then made 62 but Upminster were bowled out for 234 to slip to an agonising defeat. The month finished with defeat to Hainault despite another fine performance from Bright who picked up 3 more wickets.

The 5th XI started the month top of the table and began with a win over local rivals Shenfield. Ryan Brown picked up four wickets, and runs from Mark Hoptop helped them to a comfortable win. However, a week later they slipped to their first defeat of the season against Buckhurst Hill. Captain Alex Bottoms made 57 as Upminster made 227-5 but a fine innings from Daniel Scoulding piloted Hill to a narrow two wicket win. They bounced back a week later though with a crushing win over nine man Loughton. Scott Fisher and Alex Halliwell made fifties before Jamie Squance helped dismiss Loughton for just 25!!!

The following week saw high flying Oakfield Parkonians visit Campion in a top of the table clash. Things didn't go to plan for Upminster as they lost early wickets and needed 45 from Dave Brown to help lift them to a total of 144. Upminster struck early in the Parks reply but it was a false dawn as the visitors won by six wickets. The month finished in defeat as well as Wanstead overcame the 5s by five wickets, despite 56 from Paul Middlemiss.

The month started badly for the 6th XI as they were defeated by Harlow Town despite runs from Casey Adams. A week later and they looked set for a win and an early finish as Fives and Heronians were bundled out for just 88, Scott Fisher doing most of the damage. Astonishingly Upminster then slumped to 49-9 and despite a last wicket stand of 19 between Ian Twine and Alex Fisher, Upminster contrived to lose by 20 runs.

Lewis Baker claimed three wickets a week later as Hutton were restricted to 155, but again, Upminster's batting was found wanting as they were rolled out for 125. The following week though saw a much improved performance against high-flying Oakfield Parkonians. Parks made 213-4 but Casey Adams and Sohail Iqbal both passed 50 in reply and Upminster ended an exciting contest on 194-8. The batting woes returned a week later as Upminster ended the month with another loss, losing to Walthamstow by 25 runs having dismissed the Stow for 105.

July also saw the Sunday League side pick up two crucial wins in the Essex Sunday League as they overcame Bardoli and Waltham to climb out of the relegation zone. The highlight for the Sunday 2s was a thrilling tie with Little Baddow, thanks to runs from Nicky Ison and Julian Whetstone.

Further reading