It was the club’s older generation whose performances caught the eye at the weekend, as many sides put in their best performances of the season. The evergreen John Curtis led the way, picking up 5 for 59 for the 1st XI as they drew with Orsett and Thurrock. Shahbaz had earlier made 65, and with useful knocks from Louis Pickering, Terry Wyatt and captain Nicky Ison, Upminster had made their best league score of the season, reaching 201-9 from their 50 overs. Despite Curtis’ efforts, and two wickets for Pickering, Orsett batted out the last few overs to reach 184-9. Mark Pavitt made 61 for the home side. (Scorecard)

Stalwart Mark D’Cruz was the hero for the 2nd XI as they overcame Wanstead and Snaresbrook at Upminster Park. D’Cruz claimed 5 for 54 as he bowled Ollie Peck’s side to a 25 point victory. Jordan Tigg and Jake Giddings were in the runs for the home side, as they made 200-5 from their 50 overs, before D’Cruz, with assistance from Billy Wright and Peck, ran through the visitors to bowl them out for 112. The victory saw Upminster move up to second in the table. (Scorecard)

The 3rd XI were denied victory against Chelmsford despite the efforts of veterans Andrew Berry and Peter Thompson. Thompson made a patient 59 and with support from Steve Limn and captain Josh Lamont Upminster were able to reach 194-9 at Coopers. Berry then picked up three early wickets in the Chelmsford reply, and with Tom Daniels picking up three of his own the home side looked set for victory. However, dogged resistance from Chelmsford denied them as they clung on at 102-8. (Scorecard)

The 4th XI avoided defeat for the first time this season as they drew with high flying Hutton. Hutton won the toss and chose to bat but were reduced to 20-2 by the excellent Ryan Brown. Henry Hodgson made 90 though, and although Brown returned to finish with 4 for 35, Hutton piled up 253-7 from their 50 overs. Upminster lost an early wicket, but another veteran, Stewart Hammond (57), combined with Ian Munn (37) to push Upminster towards safety,before Rob Bannister and Dave Brown secured an extra batting point as they finished on 158-5. Andy Bliss picked up 3 for 36 for Hutton. (Scorecard)

There was also a draw for the 5th XI, as they faced Fives and Heronians 4s. Long time servant and captain Karim Govani claimed 3 for 52 and Aalok Latey picked up 3-42, but 73 from Jasbir Singh enabled Fives to declare early at 209-8. Upminster struggled in reply, but an unbeaten 44 from Alex Bottoms and useful contributions from the captain and Michael Larke enabled Upminter to bat out to safety at 139-6. (Scorecard)

The only loss of the day came for the 6th XI as they were beaten by Brentwood 5th XI. Liam Robertson and Alex Fisher made 20 each for Upminster, but they could only reach 139. In reply Brentwood raced to their target in 16 overs mainly thanks to 101 not out from Sajjan Sra. Harvey Daniels picked up the sole wicket for Upminster. (Scorecard)

There was a second win of the season for the Sunday League side as they overcame Buckhurst Hill. Peck was in the wickets again (3 for 33) as Upminster fought back after Hill’s bright start. Joe Simpson and D’Cruz also picked up two wickets apiece as Hill were dismissed for 181 from the last ball of the innings. Upminster made a nervous start in reply, being reduced to 20-3. Paul Middlemiss made 30, but it wasn’t until Curtis joined Adam Quested that Upminster’s chase gained any momentum. Curtis fell for 42 but Quested remained while Peck flayed the ball to all parts, making an unbeaten 38 and seeing his side to a five wicket win with over three overs to spare. Quested finished on 41 not out. (Scorecard)

Father and son combination, John and Nathan French, opened the batting for the Sunday 2s, but they fell to defeat at Rayleigh. French Snr top scored with 32, but Nathan Brown and Callum Berry were the only other batsmen to pass 20 as Upminster were dismissed for 148. Ant Limn (3 for 42) and Kevin Roome (2 for 34) bowled well in the Rayleigh reply, but 65 from Andy Lynch saw the home side to a four wicket win. (Scorecard)