Familiar failings with the bat hindered the 1st XI on Saturday as they fell to defeat at Gidea Park and Romford. An excellent bowling and fielding display went to waste as the batting crumbled during the chase and Gidea claimed a deserved victory. There were two wickets apiece for Louis Pickering, John Curtis and Alan Ison in the Park innings, as well as good spells from Ejaz and captain Nicky Ison, as the visitors stayed on top of the Park batsmen. Captain Jamal Francis made a composed 51 for the home side and Sam Hewitt continued his recent good form with 76 from 79 balls as Park posted 206-8.

Shafiq Rahman and Kiran Kullar reached 29 without loss in the reply, but Kullar’s departure saw Upminster fall to 69-6. Terry Wyatt and captain Ison battled to try and rescue the situation, but when Wyatt fell Park sensed victory. Ison made a gutsy 36 but he was last out, a fourth victim of Sam O’Sullivan, as Park won by 70 runs. (Scorecard)

It was a one sided affair at Upminster Park as Hornchurch raced to a 10 wicket win in the 2nd XI Premier Division clash. Mark Schofield, James Evans and Jake Giddings all made starts for the home side, but Giddings’ 30 was the highest score of the innings. Kev Gibson and Sam Shirzay picked up three wickets apiece for the visitors.
In reply the prolific Paul Murray and Lee Bones showed how it was done as they tucked into the Upminster attack. Murray finished unbeaten on 70 and Bones made 54 not out as Hornchurch chased down the total in 22 overs. (Scorecard)

The game of the day and the result of the day came at Nutter Lane where the 3rd XI recorded a one wicket win to move to the top of the table. Wanstead made a flying start and were 100-1 from 15 overs, but once captain Josh Lamont removed David Sacree (48) the game changed. Nathan Bright took control for Upminster and ran through the home side’s middle order on his way to 5-38 from 14 overs. He was backed up by some excellent work from Mike Larke behind the stumps, and Zoraiz Saeed was left stranded on 49 as the 2016 champions were dismissed for 185.

After two early wickets in reply, captain Lamont (36) and veteran Rob Mack (44) rebuilt the innings. When they both fell Upminster lost four quick wickets and Wanstead looked set for victory. Joe Wyatt made 24 to put the game back in the balance and Oliver White and Mark D’Cruz combined to push Upminster towards a famous win. D’Cruz fell for 13 with 12 still needed for the win, but Nathan Bright and White kept their nerve to secure a fabulous win. (Scorecard)

It was frustration for the 4th XI as they fell to a three wicket defeat against Wanstead at Coopers. Stewart Hammond made an excellent 52 for the home side, and with support from Dave Brown, Dave Foss, Phil Hammond and Rob Tuffee, Upminster battled their way to 171-8. In reply Ollie Woods picked up two early wickets and Jamie Squance and Kevin Roome then combined to take out the Wanstead middle order and reduce the visitors to 71-7. At that stage an Upminster win looked on the cards, but captain Giri Rathakrishnan (45*) and Hamza Shoaib (44*) resisted all Upminster could throw at the them and helped their side to a remarkable three wicket win. (Scorecard)

The 5th XI had no such problems as they secured a four wicket against Ilford 4s at Campion. Aalok Latey was the star with the ball (4-25) and with Callum Berry and captain Karim Govani picking up two wickets each, Ilford were bowled out for 111. Upminster made a nervous start to their reply but an unbeaten 35 from Jake Eade saw them to an excellent win. (Scorecard)

The 6th XI settled for a draw in their local derby with Harold Wood 5s. Ray Calder’s men used 9 bowlers in the Wood innings, with Matthew Bright the pick of the attack. Steve Faram’s 34 was the top score for the home side. Casey Adams made 45 as the visitors replied, but wickets fell regularly at the other end against an experienced Wood attack. Calder stood firm though with 24 not out as Upminster picked up the draw at 109-5. (Scorecard)

On Sunday the Matchplay Team were given a win in their first group game after a concession from Chelmsford, while the U11s picked up a Havering League win at Hornchurch. The U9s also won against South Loughton in the Don Coates Trophy.