Put quite simply, 2026 was one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history with regards to on-field results. Three teams claimed their divisional league titles, two of them with some ease, while there were also three runners-up spots and an appearance at the Essex League T20 Finals Day. Individually there were also many highlights with the club’s batters piling up the centuries and a number of young players impressing throughout the season. Here, in our final review of the 2026 season, we take a look at how our Sunday, Friendly and Midweek sides performed over the summer.

SUNDAY LEAGUE XI
It was another excellent season for the Sunday League side in a number of ways. Results were good, with two runners-up spots in the two competitions entered, but there were also some excellent performances from a number of young players who were given opportunities to show what they were capable of. Captain Ollie Burley did an excellent job in his first season in the role, ensuring there was a great team spirit around the side and that games were played in the right manner.

The bowling of the captain and Lewis Munn helped set up an opening day victory over Roding Valley, with the result secured thanks to a brilliant 116 not out from Gus Philpot. That result was followed up with a crushing win over Canvey Kingfisher, mainly thanks to an astonishing knock from Callum Berry. Berry smashed 197 from 89 balls, 158 of them in boundaries, and looked set for a double ton before he was trapped in front just three short of the landmark. George Sheridan, Stan Moore and Liam Robertson also made half centuries as Upminster made 432-4 before three wickets from Jamie Green helped bowl out Canvey for 211. Harold Wood were then comprehensively beaten by seven wickets, Fenton Everingham claiming 4-24, before Upminster were heavily defeated by Scintilla despite four wickets for Berry.

After a three week break there was a five wicket win over London Desperados, mainly thanks to the efforts of two 4th XI stalwarts. Shrey Shah grabbed 5-17 to bowl out Desperados for 142, before Matt Ingleson made 48 as Upminster won by five wickets. That victory was unfortunately followed a week later by a loss to Goresbrook despite runs from Munn and Emma Black, but Upminster bounced back with a nervy two wicket win over Waltham in early August at Coopers. Waltham made 226-7 before Zoran Suneel made 83 for Upminster and captain Burley held his nerve as Upminster got over the line. Kiran Kullar (76) and Moore (52*) were in the runs as Upminster piled up 330-7 at Buckhurst Hill, with Upminster going on to win by 118 runs, before a concession from Bardoli kept their outside title hopes alive. Burley’s side travelled to North London on Bank Holiday Weekend to take on Sharks Cricket Academy who were unbeaten at that stage of the season. In a game reduced to 25 overs per side Kullar made a superb 100 to put Upminster in charge before Dylan Narbheram (5-25) helped bowl Upminster to a 48 run win.

That left Upminster top of the table at that stage, but Sharks gained enough points from their game in hand to take top spot leaving Upminster as league runners-up and also facing Goresbrook in the play offs. Upminster never got going with the bat, limping to 173-8 before Goresbrook went on to win by five wickets. Goresbrook then went on to lose to Scintilla in the play off final.

Five batters passed the 200 run mark in the Sunday League with Kullar and Suneel both making 238, Berry making 236, Moore 228 and Sheridan 201. With the ball there were nine wickets each for Green, Munn and Narbheram while Shah and Burley claimed eight each.

There was also a runners-up pennant in the Sunday League T20 after a loss in the final to Waltham. Upminster reached the final after topping Group B with tense victories over Harold Wood and Scintilla. However, Waltham proved too strong in the final and cruised to a nine wicket win.

SATURDAY FRIENDLY XI
For the first time in a long time a Friendly XI was fielded on the majority of Saturdays during the summer, with two Friendly sides fielded on some Saturdays meaning 99 players represented the club in senior cricket on those days. Unfortunately, amongst all the excitement a number of scorecards were mislaid and not uploaded on to the club’s PlayCricket site, but records show that there were five wins, five losses, one tie and one no result.

Results wise the highlights were a six wicket win over Belhus, a five wicket win against Shenfield and a tied match with Stanford Le Hope. On an individual basis there were a number of excellent performances, especially from the younger players who played in these games. These highlights included 52 from Tinus Stander against Herongate, 61 from Matt McArthur against Rayleigh, maiden senior 50s for Max Bird and Eddie Waters against West Mersea, three wickets and a half century for Kevin McNeela against Belhus, 70 for Max Malby also against Belhus, three wickets for Aiden McNeela against Shenfield, 83 not out for Matt McArthur (from just 33 balls) also against Shenfield and three wickets for Aadit Latey against Gidea Park & Romford. There were also a whole host of “firsts” for a number of players during the season with many players making their senior debuts in this side and claiming maiden senior runs and wickets.

Of all the Upminster sides that played during 2026 there are probably more call outs related to this team than any other. Firstly, to Henry Hanlon who gave up his own games of league cricket to captain the Friendly XI, thus enabling a huge number of additional club members to play on a Saturday afternoon. Henry was a very deserving winner of the Gwynne Mack Spirit of Cricket Award for 2026 in recognition of his efforts. Secondly, to Kevin Roome who worked tirelessly to get as many games arranged as possible. Next to our good friends at Herongate & Ingrave who were our opposition on many occasions during the summer and always welcomed our side at their wonderful ground. And finally to all of the parents and other people who helped get a side together and got players to games, often at short notice. The season was a huge success for the Friendly XI and we look forward to more of the same next season.

SUNDAY FRIENDLY XI
The Sunday Friendly XI were back in action in 2026 and while only four games were played across the summer there was some enjoyable cricket played. Two games were played in May, one in June and one in July with three of the contests ending in victories.

The one home game of the season saw 66 from Lewis Munn help the side to a 172 run win over Newham, and Munn was at it again the following week at Belhus. He made 60 and with Harry Bradford making 68 not out Upminster were able to reach 258-8. Belhus started well in reply before Patrick Gulvin (4-28) helped take Upminster to a 58 run success. The derby encounter with Hornchurch a Harrow Lodge Park in June was an excellent game of cricket. 14 year old Dylan Books made a brilliant 83 while Ryan Oakes made 55 in an Upminster total of 236-7. Oakes and Brooks then took two wickets each, as did Ewan McArthur, as Hornchurch fell 20 runs short on 216-9. The second game between the two sides in July, also at Harrow Lodge Park, was an even closer contest, with Hornchurch coming out on top on this occasion. Upminster looked set to be bowled out for a low total until Oakes made 41 to help his side reach 169 and the home side made a good start in reply. However, they fell from 39-0 to 99-8 with Upminster looking like they would take victory, before stands of 31 and 41* saw Hornchurch claim a one run win.

Well done to Kevin Roome who captained the side and worked hard to arrange fixtures and thank you to Belhus and Hornchurch for hosting us during the summer. We hope to see the side in action even more in 2027.

MIDWEEK XI
The new Jeff Rodrigues T20 competition gave many of our non 1st XI cricketers the chance to play some T20 midweek cricket in 2026, and the side performed well, reaching the knockout stages of the inaugural tournament.

Three wickets for Vansh Mehra set up a nine wicket group stage win over Gidea Park & Romford before runs from James Evans and Stan Moore set up another derby success, this time over Harold Wood. The final group game against Hornchurch Athletic was cancelled meaning Upminster moved through to a quarter final tie at Woodford Wells. Upminster fell to 65-6 and an early finish was looking likely, but Ian Russell and Ethan Berry put on 90 in nine overs to take Upminster to a competitive 161-8. Upminster fought hard in the field, and looked on top at one stage as Wells fell to 75-4, but the home side just about kept their nerve and got over the line by three wickets with seven balls to spare.

There was also an excellent midweek T20 friendly fixture at Barking as part of the home club’s cricket week. Former Barking man Pulkit Gupta made 53 not out for Upminster in their total of 184-8 and Barking fell just short in reply, ending on 180-8. Many thanks to Barking for inviting us along to what was an excellent evening on and off the pitch.