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Mixed Fortunes On League Week 4

Mixed Fortunes On League Week 4

Paul Middlemiss4 Jun 2017 - 19:06
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Kirkpatrick Heroics Secure Saturday Draw But Cup Heartbreak Follows on Sunday

The 1st XI were quick out of the blocks in their latest league game with Shenfield at Upminster Park on Saturday. John Curtis and Matt Tigg helped to reduce the visitors to 141-6, before Ollie Ekers and former Upminster man Arshad Ali fought back for Shen, helping them to reach a total of 251-8.

The Upminster reply never got going and at tea they looked set for defeat. Alex Kirkpatrick had other ideas though as he batted for an astonishing 174 balls to make 72 not out, and with support from Tigg and then Curtis he was able to help his side secure a draw at 155-9. (Scorecard)

There was a first defeat of the season for the 2nd XI as they fell to a loss at Woodford Wells. Farid continued his sparkling form with 85 and support from Kiran Kullar, Elliot Bussey and Terry Wyatt meant Upminster were able to declare early at 257-6.

Phil Ashwell made 50 as Wells set about the chase, and although Upminster picked up regular wickets, further half centuries from Liam McCarthy and Iain Wilson led Wells to a two wicket win with seven balls to spare. Jack O' Dowd was the pick of the Upminster attack. (Scorecard)

The 3rd XI kept up their good form with a hard fought win over Hainault and Clayhall at Coopers. Andrew Berry marked his return to the side with remarkable figures of 5-33 from 16 overs as Hainault were hustled out for 123. Upminster found the going tough in reply but 51 not out from Paul Middlemiss and some clean hitting from Adam Quested saw them to a six wicket win. (Scorecard)

Skipper Josh Lamont was the all round hero for the 4th XI as they won again, this time against Colchester at Castle Park. Lamont picked up three wickets, as did Ant Limn, as Colchester were dismissed for 163. Oliver Allison made 57 for the home side. In reply Upminster fell to 120-7 but Lamont remained at the crease. He found an ally in Sam Twine and with Lamont striking the ball all around the picturesque ground the two of them guided their side to a three wicket win. (Scorecard)

The 5th XI were left frustrated by West Essex's last pair in the top of the table clash at the Rolls. Rafe Smallman made 72 for the away team, and with runs from Mike Larke and Dave Brown Upminster made a solid total of 189-8. Nathan Bright and Scott Fisher ripped through the West top order to push Upminster towards victory but veterans Colin Baxter and Paul Griffiths helped the home side cling on for a draw at 116-9. (Scorecard)

Casey Adams 52 was the only score of note as the 6th XI were bundled out for just 113 by Gidea Park 4s. Alex Fisher picked up two early wickets in the Park reply but after that it was plain sailing for Park who went on to a six wicket win. (Scorecard)

It was cup heartache for Upminster on Sunday as they lost by one wicket to Southend in the League Cup Quarter Final. A woeful start to the Upminster innings saw them slump to 24-5 before Frank Hazle and Louis Pickering put on 52 for the sixth wicket. Pickering's departure triggered another collapse, this time to 82-8, but Hazle remained and joined forces with captain Tigg and they put together another half century partnership as Hazle passed his own fifty. Hazle was eventually last out in the 48th over, but Upminster had made a competitive 168 by that time.

John Curtis struck in the first over of the Southend reply, but after that it looked like the away side would cruise to victory as they reached 77-1 from just 11 overs. However, Curtis and Tigg joined forces with the ball to force a collapse and when the ninth wicket fell Southend still needed 10 more for victory. The last pair scrambled the required runs though to send Southend into the last four. (Scorecard)

Ryan Brown made his maiden half century for the Club as the Sunday 2nd XI tied their game with Orsett and Thurrock. Chasing 135 for victory Brown remained unbeaten as Upminster were bowled out for 134 to leave the scores level!! (Scorecard)

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