There was only one game played by the club this weekend due to a number of factors, but it produced plenty of headline performances as the Women’s 1st XI saw off Hutton to progress to the second round of the National T20 Cup.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat first on a somewhat chilly afternoon at Coopers, winter signings Paige Roche and Harriet Goodey strode to the crease to get the season underway. They strode back together around 90 minutes later with the scoreboard showing 218-0!!

Roche struck a sparkling unbeaten 155 from 76 balls, a knock which included 14 fours and 12 maximums!! Goodey joined in the fun from the other end, making 52 not out from 46 deliveries.

Lois Gable’s fielding helped to run out Georgie Manek as Hutton began their reply, before Felicity Russell removed Hira Awan to leave the visitors 17-2. Elizabeth Thompson and Suzanne Shaw helped to steady the Hutton ship before Toni Woodgate removed Shaw, but Thompson went on to end the innings on 41 not out. She received good support from Katie White as Hutton ended on 122-3 to give Upminster a 96 run victory.

Upminster will now face Billericay in the second round of the competition in early May. Before then Upminster will face Hutton once again as the two sides meet in Essex League Division 1 this Sunday (1.00pm at Upminster Park). The Women’s 2nd XI will also make their first appearance of the season this Sunday as they travel to play Billericay 2s in a Division 3 clash (1.00pm at Blunts Wall Road).