The hottest weekend of the season saw some excellent cricket played by Upminster’s senior and junior sides. It was another hectic two days for the club with 19 games played across various competitions, and more than 150 members in action.

Leading the way were the 1st XI who returned two winnings ways after two defeats in their previous two games. Captain Alan Ison rolled back the years with a brilliant 16 over spell, picking up 5-38 as he and Nehal Butt (4-34) rolled out Old Southendians, who had started the day in second place, for 122. Max Craddock and Ashan Yousaf had taken the Old Boys to 73-1 before Ison and Butt took control. Ison would have hoped to put his feet up after such a spell in the searing heat, but Upminster’s top order were soon in trouble themselves. Kiran Kullar, Pulkit Gupta and Harry Jenkins all inched Upminster towards their target, but at 98-7 the game was very much in the balance. However, Ison came to the crease and confidently saw Upminster to a two wicket victory, finishing things off with a maximum into the Pavilion.

The 2nd XI made it six wins from six with a win at Hutton who had began the game in third place. The win means Nicky Ison’s side are 18 points ahead of second placed Harold Wood and 49 points ahead of Gidea Park and Romford in third. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Ison’s side in this one though. Callum Berry made a brilliant 53 as he continued his recent good form, but Upminster then fell from 61-1 to 125-8 as the experienced Danny Cocklin ran through the middle order. Upminster’s own veteran Terry Wyatt kept his calm though and with youngster Ollie Todd helped to take Upminster towards a competitive total. Wyatt made 35 and Todd finished unbeaten on 31 as the visitors reached 188 all out. Ellis Pickering struck early in the Hutton reply, and from that point Upminster always looked likely to pick up the win. Pickering claimed two wickets, as did Jordan Tolan, while Todd and captain Ison both produced excellent spells to pick up three each and see Upminster to a 96 run win. James Southgate top scored for the home side.

The 3rd XI made it three wins from three with a six wicket win at Orsett and Thurrock. The win moves Andrew Berry’s side up fourth place in the Premier Division table. The captain and fellow opening bowler Mark D’Cruz reduced Orsett to 5-4 and then 35-5 and at that stage an early finish looked in prospect. However, Harry Dove and Michael Parker dug in and took their side past three figures without any further alarms. Mark Schofield removed Dove for 59 and Schofield (3-48) and Nick O’Dell then ran through the lower order to bowl out the home side for 158. Steve Wright made a breezy 32 at the top of the Upminster innings, but three LBWs saw the visitors fall to 51-3. O’Dell calmed the nerves though as he patiently played himself in before striking 12 boundaries on the way to 63. Akibur Rahman also made 36 not out as Upminster won by six wickets.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the 4th XI who drew with Billericay at Coopers. A lot of the top order got starts for Upminster but only Tom Hilson (35) passed thirty before he was run out. At 111-7 things didn’t look good for Ian Munn’s side, but Will Bottoms joined Mike Larke at the crease to turn things around. Bottoms made a brilliant 60 from just 44 balls, and with Larke making an unbeaten 39 the home side battled their way to 198-8. Bottoms continued his good afternoon with the ball as Ricay fell to 29-3 and Scott Fisher then joined in as Upminster sensed victory. However, captain James Yates dug in for 53 not out as his side ended on 150-6.

The 5th XI’s recent good form was brought to a shuddering halt as they were heavily beaten at Buckhurst Hill 4s. Yatin Mistry and Shaid Mohammed put on an excellent opening stand to put Hill in charge, and five other batsmen made double figures to take the home team towards a huge total. Captain Aalok Latey was the pick of the Upminster attack as Hill closed on 264-7. Rafe Smallman and Don Triggs started well for Upminster, but when they were dismissed things fell apart pretty quickly and Upminster were dismissed for 64. Mandeep Shukla claimed 5-34 for Hill.

There was also a defeat for the 6th XI against high-flying Old Brentwoods 3s. Mark Baldock made 86 for the Old Boys but the experienced trio of Karim Govani, Paul Scott and Mark Hortop all picked up wickets to check the leaders’ progress. They were still able to reach a more than competitive 243-8 before declaring five overs early. Ray Calder and Nathan French both made good starts for Upminster but the visitors bowling proved to strong and Upminster’s young side were bowled out for 73. The 7th XI were also in action as they faced Orsett and Thurrock 6s at Coopers, with Orsett eventually running out comfortable winners.

Upminster exited the Conference Cup on Sunday but put in a more than respectable performance against Reigate Priory from the Surrey Premier Division. Pulkit Gupta continued his return to form with 31 and Nehal Butt made an excellent 46 as Upminster started well, but middle order wickets fell quickly as Priory fought back. John Curtis and Billy Wright provided some late innings entertainment as Upminster made 172. Ollie Todd and Ellis Pickering struck early in the Priory reply 59 from Rory Haughton saw the Surrey club to a four wicket win. We wish them well in the next round.

There was also a defeat in a thrilling match for the Friendly XI at Belhus. In a 35 overs a side game Belhus made 231-5 and Upminster just missed out on victory as their young side finished on 217-6.

There were 10 colts games on Sunday morning with many brilliant performances. There were wins for the U8s (x2) the U9s and the U10 girls, and defeats but excellent performances for the U10s (x2, including a thrilling one run loss at Hornchhurch), the U12s and the U15s (x2). There are a number of colts games taking place during the week ahead.