A century from Louis Pickering helped the Sunday 1st XI to pick up the Club’s first competitive win of the season at a freezing Spring Farm. Credit must go to Rainham, and to both umpires, for getting the game on in such conditions.

Rainham won the toss and asked Upminster to bat first on a damp track. Louis Pickering and Paul Middlemiss made a solid if unspectacular start against a tight new ball attack which included former UCC youngster Sam Crotch. Only one boundary was scored in the first 15 overs, predominantly due to the slow outfield, but after this point Pickering began to cut loose. He passed 50 just after drinks but then lost opening partner Middlemiss (34) caught at deep mid-on with the score on 91. Captain Nicky Ison, having only just arrived for the start after a dash from South West London, joined Pickering and they kept the scoreboard moving. Ison made 15 before being caught at mid-wicket, but Nathan Woods and Pickering kept upping the rate, Pickering hitting one huge six into the Pavilion, and another over extra cover. In the 35th over a push for two into the on side bought up Pickering’s century, an excellent effort in the conditions. Pickering eventually fell for 110, bowled by the excellent John O’Neill, but Woods and Jordan Tigg ran well to help the visitors post 188-4 from their 40 overs.

If there was any doubt as to what that score was worth, it was put into perspective early in the Rainham reply, as Billy Wright tore through the top order. He produced an excellent spell (8-2-18-3) and with Ollie White trapping Light in front, Rainham were soon 22-4. Captain Nicky Ison and youngster Tom Daniels then came into the attack and kept up the pressure. Ison picked up the dangerous O’Neill for 16 and then had Biren Patel well caught by Middlemiss to put the home side further into trouble. Daniels claimed two wickets, one thanks to a juggling act from Wright, and Anthony Limn pulled off an excellent caught and bowled to pick up the ninth wicket. And it was left to Daniels to finish things off, dismissing ex-Upminster man Crotch for 11, to claim his third victim and give Upminster a 119 run victory, and the 18 points.

Scorecard