Just three years ago, the last day of the season saw the 2nd XI relegated from the Premier Division after a six year stay in the top flight. The last day of the 2022 season saw the side claim an excellent win over champions Wanstead and Snaresbrook, as Nicky Ison's side demonstrated why they were more than worthy of the runners-up spot in their first season back in the Premier Division.

The captain was pleased with how the season went, and keen to note his side's results against the champions.

"I feel the 2022 summer will be remembered as one of the best for the 2nd XI in recent memory. Congratulations to Wanstead who won the league and who are a very good team, but we took them all the way and if it wasn't for some poor availability on a few weekends, we may well have won it. And at least we can say the champions didn't beat us!! We knew we would be a good team going into the season but some of our performances were just terrific."

After some excellent pre-season performances the fixture computer threw up a tough league opener with a derby at Harrow Lodge Park against 2019 champions Hornchurch. 73 from the experienced Shaff Rahman took Upminster to a challenging total of 252. Church captain Luke Edwards took the game to Upminster in the reply, but despite his efforts Upminster squeezed home by 6 runs. A week later and runs from Terry Wyatt and Harry Jenkins, plus four wickets for the skipper gave Upminster a more comfortable win over Woodford Wells. However, at Shenfield in late May the side's 32 game unbeaten run in the league was ended as they were well beaten by the home side. It looked like Ison's men were up against it again as Harold Wood piled up 272-7 at Upminster Park, but an unbeaten 116 from Josh Lamont saw his side to a comfortable win. It was the first of three centuries for the hard hitting opener, and Ison was pleased with his contribution.

"There were many stand out performances throughout the summer. Not many people get a century in the summer but full credit to Josh Lamont, who smashed three!! His aggressive nature sets the tone for the rest of the team and he is now a huge player for us."

June began with an under-strength side travelling to Buckhurst Hill, but four wickets from Mark D'Cruz and a superb knock from Captain Ison saw them to a hardfought success, and they started the timed games section of the season with a win at Brentwood, John Curtis rolling back the years to claim five wickets. The squad were now eyeing a top three finish and laid down a marker in mid-June as Chelmsford came to Upminster Park. There is no tougher opposition at 2nd team level than the men from Chelmer Park, but runs from Ison and Callum Berry took Upminster to 262-8 before the captain then claimed four wickets to lead his team to a 133 run win. With the captain, and a large number of the senior playing membership in Cardiff, many feared the worst as the team travelled to Ilford for a tough looking encounter. However, 85 from the returning Mike Rath and a brilliant ton from Aki Rahman helped Upminster to a challenging total, before three wickets each for Jeff Mack and Alfie Horan almost took Upminster home, but Ilford held on for a draw. Ison was keen to highlight the progress Rahman made during the season.

"It was great to see Aki Rahman finish the season as top run scorer for us. On the Stag weekend, he stood up and hit a brilliant century away at Ilford. One of the best partnerships of the season was between Aki and Tom Daniels. On a tough, inconsistent, difficult pitch (at Harold Wood), they put on 170 for the opening wicket. It was quality batting from the two of them. Young Callum Berry also showed his skill with some excellent knocks, one against Chelmsford and one in a tight run chase against Brentwood. Oliver White also showed his worth towards the end of the season with some aggressive batting, and he finally hit his maiden ton for the club!!"

The first half of the season finished with the visit of leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook to Upminster Park. Daniels made a superb century to get his side off to a great start, and with Lamont and White also in the runs, Upminster posted a commanding 337-6. Rod Martin replied with a ton for Wanstead, and despite Ison claiming three wickets the game petered out into a draw. It was three draws in a row a week later as Hornchurch were the visitors. Lamont struck his second ton of the season, and Daniels and Aki Rahman made half centuries as Upminster declared early on a massive 341-6. Hornchurch looked in trouble early on, but remarkable knocks from Ahsan Freed and Ted Coney kept Hornchurch in the game. In the end the visitors finished a thrilling contest on 294-9 as both sides had to settle for a draw!!

Upminster's title hopes were further dented as they visited Woodford Wells, a poor all round performance seeing them soundly beaten by 147 runs. That result left them playing catch up in the title race with Wanstead, but they did their best to close the gap as they saw off Shenfield. All of the top six passed 30, with Tom Daniels top scoring in a total of 300-5. Shenfield started strongly in reply, but Curtis and Billy Wright showed their class to bowl Upminster to victory. Curtis enjoyed an excellent season as the captain noted.

"John Curtis was quality for us with the ball and ran through many a top order. He was also unbeaten when he played!!"

That brilliant partnership between Daniels and Aki Rahman at Harold Wood helped to secure another victory, before a comfortable win over Buckhurst Hill kept the pressure on Wanstead at the top of the table. Lamont made his third ton of the season at Brentwood, but he was overshadowed by Ollie White as the popular homegrown batter finally made his maiden century for the club, his 119 coming off just 63 balls and containing 17 boundaries and 3 maximums. That knock helped Upminster to 370-5 from 45 overs, but they were given a scare in the Brentwood reply before the captain held his nerve to help claim an 11 run win. It was five wins in a row seven days later, as a remarkable spell from Terry Wyatt and 61 from White set up victory at Chelmer Park, and Ilford were then beaten at Upminster Park as Ison's men made it six on the spin.

That result secured the runners-up spot for Upminster, but results elsewhere meant that August finished with Wanstead and Snaresbrook being crowned as champions. The two sides met at Overton Drive to finish the season, and 56 from Jordan Tolan, his first league half century for the club put Upminster into a good position, before White and Callum Berry kept their cool to steer Upminster home. It meant Ison's side finished the season with a remarkable seven wins in a row, and their points total of 312 would undoubtedly have taken the title in many seasons.

Ison clearly enjoyed the summer, and was keen to thank others who were involved in making the season so much fun.

"Overall it was one of the best summers I've ever had on the cricket field, with some great blokes. Thank you to Keith for standing for us throughout the summer and to Andrea, Tony and Amy for providing us with the best teas in the league."

And when asked about the 2023 season Ison kept things nice and simple.

"Next season there is only one aim. If we have good availability, we need to have a proper go at winning the league."