It was a successful conclusion to the 2018 season for Upminster, as they rounded off the season with four wins on Saturday, including a title winning performance and a great escape act.

At Upminster Park it was opponents Belhus 1st XI who took the honours, and with it gained promotion to the Premier Division, thanks to a 106 run victory. Belhus were asked to bat first by Upminster and Joe Joyce and Matt Doran both compiled excellent centuries to take their side to a formidable total. Doran eventually for 106 and Joyce for 104 as Upminster foughtback, but Belhus were able to declare on 274-3 after 40 overs. All of Upminster’s middle order got starts, but none of them could go on to make a significant contribution and the home side were dismissed for 168. Doran completed an excellent afternoon with a five wicket haul. Congratulations to Belhus on reaching the Premier Division for the first time in their history. (Scorecard | Table)

The 2nd XI concluded an excellent campaign with a fine win over Woodford Wells. The victory meant that Upminster finished the season in a highly respectable third place. Upminster won the toss and decided to bowl and despite an excellent spell from captain Billy Wright (4-81) and three wickets from stalwart Nicky Ison, Wells were able to reach 259-8. Louis Walker and Ben Munson both made 68 for the home side. Upminster lost four early wickets in reply and looked set for defeat but Terry Wyatt and Ison joined forces to get Upminster back into the game. Having played himself in Wyatt began to flay the ball to all parts of Monkhams Lane while Ison provided intelligent support. Wyatt brought up his century as the visitors closed in on victory and Upminster eventually got home by six wickets. Wyatt ended unbeaten on 129 and Ison was not out 79, the unbroken partnership being worth 189. (Scorecard | Table)

It was a thrilling finale to the season for the 3rd XI as they finally won the Premier Division in the evening dusk at Coopers School. With the sides starting the day level on points, it was a winner takes all contest between them and old friends Woodford Wells to conclude the campaign. Wells won the toss and decided to bowl on a grassy looking Coopers pitch and Chris Hall and Osman Ashraf reduced the home side to 15-4 and 59-6 as Upminster struggled early on. Opener Paul Middlemiss remained and found willing support in Ant Limn. They put on 82 for the seventh wicket to get Upminster back into the game, and although Limn fell for 27, Upminster were able to make 177 before being bowled out in the penultimate over. Middlemiss finished unbeaten on 88. In reply Andrew Berry and Will Chuter struck early on to reduce Wells to 3-3, with one of the victims being Mark Webb, playing his final ever game for the Wells. Guy Peddy and Christian Hall led the recovery, and when the last hour started Wells needed 90 to win with five wickets in hand. Enter 3rd XI stalwart Rob White to swing the game back in Upminster’s favour, before Wells veteran Wade Goodlet tilted things back towards the visitors. White removed Goodlet and picked up the 9th wicket, to finish with 5 for 46, to leave Wells requiring 20 from two overs with just one wicket remaining. With a large crowd now watching Will Chuter trapped the last Wells batsman in front to seal the title for Upminster. The game was played in a tremendous spirit throughout by both teams and thank you to Cyril Hickson and Keith Walmsley for umpiring the match. (Scorecard | Table)

Having been in the bottom two for much of the season, Stewart Hammond’s 4th XI picked up a last day win to fend off relegation and climb to seventh place in the final standings. Knowing they needed to win and hope for other results to go their way, the captain and his opening partner Ian Munn got them off to a good start at South Woodford, passing 50 for the first wicket. When they both fell Sam Twine and the experienced Rob Mack combined to help Upminster push towards a competitive total. Knowing they would need to bowl out the opposition Upminster needed quick runs and Mack and Twine were able to supply this. Both passed their half centuries and with the score at 224-2 captain Hammond declared to allow himself time to bowl out South. Ryan Brown struck early in the reply, on his way to picking up three wickets, and he had good support from Rohan Mayor and Ellis Pickering as Upminster bowled out South for 144 to secure an 80 run win. A tense few hours then passed for news of other games, before it was confirmed Upminster had moved above both Wickford and Old Southendians to finish the season in an excellent 7th place. (Scorecard | Table)

Despite a battling performance the 5th XI fell to a last day defeat at champions Brentwood. Aalok Latey and Rafe Smallman got Upminster off to a good start but it was youngster Calum Berry who most impressed, making a brilliant 67 not out to cap a remarkable first season of senior cricket. His innings enabled his side to reach a respectable 194-8 from their 45 overs. Captain Karim Govani then worked his way through the top order to reduce Brentwood to 91-5, but Luke Rans and Jatin Patel stood firm and ensured their side finished with a victory as their unbroken stand of 105 saw them to a five wicket win. (Scorecard | Table)

After a long and tough season the 6th XI ended the campaign with a final day victory in a home game played at Herongate CC. It may well be the last 6th XI league game for some time, and it was fitting that the side signed off with a win. Having won the toss and asked Hutton to bat, captain Ray Calder will have been pleased with the start his bowlers made. Ben Hamberger, Clive Wilson and John Morley were all in the wickets, and despite 29 from Alex Burton, Hutton were bowled out for 81. Captain Calder made an unbeaten 32 in reply before allowing Brent Denman and Mushoon Mustofa the chance to see Upminster to an eight wicket win. (Scorecard | Table)

After a tough first half of the campaign for many of our sides it was an excellent second half, with all teams putting in some excellent performances and gaining very respectable finishing positions.

After Saturday’s elation Sunday was a disappointment for the Sunday League side as they lost their play off semi-final to Waltham. Waltham looked set for a big score at Upminster Park but were pegged back by Billy Wright and Shaffiq Rahman, before a crucial unbeaten last wicket stand of 25 enabled the visitors to reach 215-9. In reply only James Evans made much of an impression for Upminster, but his 52 was not enough as his side were bowled out for 169. (Scorecard)