After eight league games without a win, the 2nd XI finally picked up their first win of the season, and in some style as well. They travelled to leaders Chelmsford on the first Saturday in July more in hope than expectation and although Nathan Woods, Paul Middlemiss and Jordan Tigg all got starts, a score of 153 all out didn’t look like it would be enough. However, a brilliant all round bowling and fielding display saw the home side collapse from 27-0 to 105 all out as Upminster picked up a memorable victory. Scott Fisher claimed 3-25 for the visitors. Any hopes of a prolonged run of good form for the side were ended a week later as they fell to defeat at Woodford Wells. Wells piled up 299-8 despite four wickets for Josh Lamont, and only Tigg (63) made any impression with the bat as Upminster were bowled out for 164. The team returned to winning ways against Shenfield at Upminster Park with their best all round performance of the season. Lamont made 51 and received excellent support from Frankie Hazle and Will Chuter as the home side made 206. Chuter (4-28) and Lamont (3-25) then ran through Shenfield’s middle order before Mark Schofield finished things off as the visitors were dismissed for 143. Unfortunately the rain won the day on the last day of the month and the home game with Wanstead & Snaresbrook was cancelled without a ball being bowled.

The month began well for the 1st XI but went downhill from there. Leaders Colchester & East Essex came to Upminster on the first weekend of July but were dismantled by Ollie Peck’s side. Shahbaz made a brilliant 125 and with support from Terry Wyatt (89) and Farid (42) Upminster piled up 322-8 from their 50 overs. Louis Pickering then tore through the visitors top order on his way to 5-65 and although the Colchster middle order showed some resistance, they were bowled out for 144 to give Upminster a huge 178 run win. Unfortunately the game with Woodford Wells the next week followed an almost identical pattern to the 2nd XI fixture. Wells made 287, mainly thanks to 143 from Aussie Mitchell Todd, and Upminster were then bowled out for 190, Nabeel Aziz top scoring with 36. There was heartbreak a week later as Shenfield got the better of things by just 12 runs in the derby clash at Courage Playing Fields. Shenfield fell to 22-5 and 52-6 against the bowling of John Curtis, Louis Pickering and Scott Fisher. Jack Kliber and Tom Ballington led the fightback for Shen, taking them to 177-6 before Curtis returned to tidy things up and claim 6-35 as Roy Smith’s side were dismissed for 203. The Upminster innings went the same way as the Shenfield one as they fell to 26-4 and 60-5, but Terry Wyatt took up the fight. He combined with Tom Daniels and then John Curtis and looked to be taking Upminster to victory, but he fell for 71 and Upminster were bowled out for 191 to fall just short. The crucial relegation clash with Loughton a week later fell victim to the weather so the side ended July in 8th position.

The 3rd XI continued their pursuit of back to back titles during July. The captain led the way in their game at Harlow as his 56, along with 44 from Adam Quested, led them to a total of 210-9. White then claimed 4-25 as Harlow were dismissed for 135. A solid all round bowling performance the following week saw Harold Wood struggle to 139-9 at Coopers. Upminster were in a spot of bother as they chased victory, but Harvey Daniels, Dan Simpson and the captain saw Upminster to an important five wicket win. The team’s march towards the title came to a halt a week later as they were well beaten at Woodford Wells. Only Matt Mccarthy showed any application with the bat as White’s side were dismissed for 135 before Guy Peddy and Ashish Gandhi helped Wells to a nine wicket win. The title showdown with Brentwood at the end of the month was another victim of the weather, meaning the two sides were still locked together with six games of the season to go.

July was another solid month for the 4th XI as they continued their impressive season. Harvey Daniels, Matt Mccarthy and Luke Williams were in the runs as Upminster made 198-4 against Chelmsford at Coopers. Veteran spinner Kevin Roome then claimed 3-31 to give new father Stewart Hammond’s side a win by 100 runs. The side then visited high-flying Frenford a week later and put in an excellent performance despite the eventual defeat. Ryan Brown and Nathan Bright impressed with the ball for Upminster but 91 from Daniel Oliver helped Frenford to 245-7. Ian Munn then made his highest score for the club (76) and Mccarthy and Williams again made contributions but the visitors came up just short as they ended on 220-9. Brown was in the wickets again a week later as his 3-32 helped bowl out Old Southendians for 124. Despite a few wobbles, 30 not out from the captain Hammond saw his side to a six wicket win. With the side in good form they will have been disappointed that their contest with local rivals Hutton was washed out on the last weekend of the month.

The 5th XI started the month with a thrilling contest against old friends Gidea Park & Romford. A brilliant 118 not out from Mark Hope helped take Park to a challenging total of 224-6 from their 40 overs. Ben Calder and Jai Mayor laid a good platform for Upminster as they set about the target and it was left to Alex Ward and captain Alex Bottoms (55*) to see Upminster home by seven wickets with just a ball to spare.
After a high scoring thriller it was a low scoring win for the side the following week against Loughton. Upminster were in huge trouble as James Doyle tore through their batting, but Dave Brown and Dave Cowley (40) helped them to reach 131. Michael Jones and Brian Martin then picked up three wickets each as Loughton were bowled out for 63. Upminster’s good run of form was ended in their next game at Shenfield. Marc Carter top scored for Shen as they made 152-9 and only Jones and Cowley made it into double figures as Upminster were rolled out for 65.

The Sunday League side played just two games during July. They were twice in a good position against leaders Ilford Town but slipped to a 56 run loss despite four wickets from Billy Wright and 76 from Nathan Woods. And their game with fellow play off chasers Waltham was cancelled due to the wet weather.

Windmill Whack IV continued to progress and the Kushoom Bugh Tigers showed their power with a comfortable win over the Govani Maestros. Jamie O’Dell and Connor Whetstone were in the runs and Chris Ryan and O’Dell were amongst the wickets. The Tigers did fall to defeat on World Cup Final day as they lost to the Hunter Hurricanes by three wickets, with Louis Pickering starring for the Canes. The Root 66ers then overcame the Govani Maestros in a heated exchange before a double header concluded the month. In those contests the Tigers got back on track with a win over the Root 66ers thanks to 54 from Tom Hilson, and then the Apple Finance Firebirds saw off the Hurricanes thanks to half centuries from Steve Limn and Michael Rath. All that meant there was still much to play for with just three group games remaining.

Upminster also entered two teams into the Gidea Park & Romford ladies softball festival on the day of the World Cup Final, and one of those sides came away victorious after winning all of their contests.