It was a familiar story for the 1st XI on Saturday as they fell to a 59 run defeat against local rivals Gidea Park and Romford at Upminster Park. John Curtis and James Aggio Brewe made early inroads for the home side, and despite 67 from George Rogers Park fell to 105-5 when Ollie Peck picked up the wicket of Sam Hewitt. However, Umaad Sultan and Michael Pegram stood firm for Park and they both made unbeaten half centuries to steer Park to a respectable 217-5 from their 50 overs. Farid Butt fell early in the Upminster reply but Louis Pickering and Kiran Kullar took Upminster to 96-1 and they looked on course for their first win of the season. However, Pickering’s departure for 55 triggered a collapse as Upminster fell to 101-6. Aggio Brewe and Tom Daniels showed some resistance, and captain Ollie Peck made an unbeaten 18, but it was to little to late as Peck’s side were bowled out for 158.

The 2nd XI drew their fifth consecutive match after letting two good positions slip at Wickford. Scott Fisher (3-41) and Shaffiq Rahman (2-53) had Wickford in trouble at 67-5 before an excellent partnership between Sam Oakes (82) and Danny Rouse (35) got Wickford back in the game. Mark Schofield picked up two late wickets for Upminster as Wickford closed on 226-8. Jordan Tigg (44) and Adam Quested then took Upminster to 86-2 in reply but when they both fell in successive overs Upminster were up against it and fell to 125-7, and it looked like they would suffer their first defeat of the season. Schofield and Max Carter Miller dug in though and moved Upminster towards safety, and Schofield even managed to take 14 from the final three balls of the innings to secure an extra batting point as his side closed on 177-7.

There was a thrilling win for the 3rd XI as they overcame Wanstead and Snaresbrook at Nutter Lane. Will Frost enjoyed his new position opening the innings as he made a brilliant half century, whilst experienced campaigners Rob Mack, Rob Bannister and Ant Limn also made contributions that helped Ollie White’s side to reach 190 all out. David Sacre (81) and Finlay Chesney Brown (54) put Wanstead into a strong positon as the game entered the final hour, but a captaincy masterstroke from White changed the game. He bought Ant Limn into the attack alongside fellow spinner Tom Larke and the pair combined to turn the game Upminster’s way. Limn continued his excellent recent form by claiming 5-41 and Larke picked up 3-38 as the home side fell apart and were bowled out for 181, to give Upminster a win by 9 runs, and keep them top of the table.

The 4th XI picked up their second win of the season with a comfortable win over Wanstead and Snaresbrook at Campion. Mike Larke made 38 and Gary Carr continued his fine season with 41 to put the home side in a good position. Skipper Stewart Hammond then made an excellent unbeaten half century to keep his side on track before some late runs from Rohan Mayor (30) saw Upminster declare on 207-6. Any doubts as to whether that would be enough were soon banished by Will Bottoms and Karim Govani. The two bowled in tandem for the 18 overs that were needed to win the game, as Bottoms claimed 5-51 and Govani an astonishing 5-10 as Wanstead were skittled for 61 and Upminster won by 146 runs.

The 5th XI were denied their third league win in succession as they drew at South Woodford. Rafe Smallman made 56 and there were runs for Mark Hortop, Alex Ward and captain Alex Bottoms as Upminster reached 210-7 before declaring four overs early. Zaighan Hashmi made 90 for South Woodford and he Akash Patel looked to be taking their side to victory, but Aalok Latey (4-36) and Ward (3-37) got Upminster back in the game and it was South holding on for the draw at 185-9.

One of the weekend highlights was a first century for the Club for Matt Malby, as the 6th XI played their first game of the summer. Malby made a marvelous 106 as his side piled up the runs at Goresbrook 4th XI before claiming a victory.

Sunday saw an excellent partnership between youngsters Sam Twine and Will Frost take Upminster to a third successive Sunday League win. Ollie Peck and Ellis Pickering were the pick of the Upminster attack as Buckhurst Hill were dismissed for 118 at Upminster Park. The home side then fell to 2-2 in reply but Twine and Frost compiled an excellent partnership to take control for Upminster. Twine made an unbeaten 64 and Frost made it two half centuries for the weekend with 53 not out as Upminster claimed an eight wicket success.