The 1st XI make the short trip to Harold Wood tomorrow, looking for their first SNEL win of the season at the sixth attempt. The game is the first of the limited overs games, and for the first time in the League’s history Division One games in this format will be taking place in colored clothing and with pink balls. Upminster slipped to a damaging defeat against Gidea Park and Romford last week, after twice looking in a very strong position. Wood meanwhile claimed a thrilling win over Woodford Wells, the winning wicket coming with just two balls remaining. The win moved Wood into third place in the table. The sides have already met twice this season, with Craig Perrin’s side claiming wins in both the League Cup and the Essex League T20, so Ollie Peck and his men will be looking to make it third time lucky on Saturday.

There is also a local derby for the 2nd XI, as Hornchurch come to Upminster Park. Billy Wright’s side are unbeaten so far………..but also without a win, having drawn all five games to date. Like the 1st XI, they let two good positions slip last weekend, and ending up having to hold on for a draw at Wickford. Something will have to give this weekend as the game is a 45 overs per side win/lose contest. Hornchurch have started the season well and sit in second place in the current Premier Division table. They drew with Ilford last time out, but picked up a thrilling win over a strong Shenfield side in the week prior to that.

The 3rd XI will be looking to keep up their excellent start to the season and looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table as they welcome Chelmsford to Coopers School. Games between these two sides have often been top of the table clashes, but Chelmsford currently sit in a mid table position. They are though unbeaten with five draws to their name so far. Ollie White’s Upminster side picked up an extraordinary win at Wanstead and Snaresbrook last week, and this came on the back of an impressive win over Hornchurch the previous Saturday. Chelmsford were involved in a thrilling game of their own last week, falling just four runs short of victory, seven wickets down, against Harlow.

After their second win of the season last week, over Wanstead and Snaresbrook, the 4th XI will travel to leaders Orsett and Thurrock in good spirits. Captain Stewart Hammond made a half century last week and fellow batsmen Ian Munn and Gary Carr have also been in good form with the bat so far. Will Bottoms and Karim Govani picked up all ten wickets between them in last week’s win, and with a well balanced attack in place for tomorrow’s game the team will be confident of pulling off a surprise victory. Orsett have won all five of their games so far, and saw off local rivals Belhus by eight wickets last time out.

The 5th XI also face table topping opposition as they take on West Essex 3s at Campion. Alex Bottoms’ side have been in good form in recent weeks and sit in fourth place as the games switch from timed games to limited overs contests. Rafe Smallman has been the star man with the bat so far for Upminster and he was in the runs again last week as his side drew with South Woodford. West Essex meanwhile kept up their 100% record with a victory over Buckhurst Hill.

A REMINDER TO EVERYONE THAT THE RACE NIGHT TAKES PLACE AFTER SATURDAY’S GAMES. FREE ENTRY FOR ALL WITH THE FIRST RACE AT 8.00PM.

Sunday sees two sides in action in two different competitions. The 1st XI make the trip across the Thames to face Bexley in the Conference Cup. Upminster produced their best performance of the season to win at Banstead in Round One, and they will be looking to spring another surprise against the Kent Club.

The Sunday League XI will face Chelmsford at Chelmer Park, with a number of youngsters looking to show what they are capable of. Upminster have three wins from three so far, but it will be a tough ask to maintain their 100% record against a side who are always amongst the Sunday League frontrunners.