Steve Limn made a marvellous unbeaten 170, from just 123 balls, as the 3rd XI increased their lead at the top of the Premier Division table on Saturday. With his side chasing 272 for victory Limn struck 27 fours, and 6 sixes as he made the highest recorded 3rd XI score for the Club. Limn was given excellent support from Dan Tyler, who made an unbeaten 71 from 62 balls, after the pair had come together with the game in the balance with Upminster sitting at 98-3.

Earlier in the day, in the sweltering heat, Upminster’s bowlers had done well to restrict Wells to 271-8. Ben Munson and Charles Scott made half centuries for the home side, but three wickets each from Oliver White and Ant Limn, as well as excellent spells from Nathan Bright and Sam Twine meant Wells were not able to post as many as they were looking for.

The 1st XI narrowly failed to follow up last week’s first win of the season as they fell to a narrow defeat at Belhus. Upminster started well as they reduced the home side to 36-3 but Danny Joyce and Max Osborne rescued the situation for Belhus. Joyce was dismissed by Louis Pickering for 99, but not until the pair had put on 258 for the fourth wicket, and Osborne went on to make an unbeaten 177 from just 128 balls. Pickering finished with two wickets for the visitors.

Upminster lost wickets early in their reply but Kiran Kullar and Shaffiq helped to keep things together. Alan Ison then upped the ante and threatened for a while to get Upminster back into the game. He made 73 from 39 balls but when he fell the task was just to much for his side. John Curtis and James Evans battled to the end but Belhus got home by 37 runs.

The 2nd XI’s recent run of good form came to an end as they fell to a home defeat to Woodford Wells. Upminster’s total of 237-7 looked a good one, but after watching the World Cup Quarter Final, Wells got home by 4 wickets with 2.3 overs remaining.

At the ninth attempt, the 4th XI picked up their first win of the season, as they overcame South Woodford at Coopers. Stand in skipper Stewart Hammond made 57, and he had good support from Will Frost, Ben Calder, Nathan Brown and Mark Hortop as the home side made 238-7 from their 45 overs. In reply, an excellent all round bowling and fielding performance from Upminster saw South bowled out for 147 to hand the 4th XI their first success of the campaign.

The 5th XI fell to defeat against league leaders Brentwood 4s, also at Coopers School. Harvey Daniels made 29 for the home team, but nobody else passed 20 as Upminster were bowled out for 127. Aalok Latey struck early in the visitors’ reply, but that was the last success for Upminster as Brentwood cruised home by nine wickets, with Jatin Patel making an unbeaten 70.

The Chairman’s Choice were all but eliminated from WW III on Sunday as they fell to a comprehensive defeat against the Govani Maestros, for whom Josh Lamont made an unbeaten half century.

The Hunter Hurricanes, who beat the Choice in the 2017 Final, are also on the brink of elimination after a narrow defeat to the Root 66ers, the Roots getting home by eight runs.