For some time it looked like the 2nd XI may pull of the unthinkable and claim the Premier Division title in 2018. Having finished third in 2017 and fifth in 2016 it may seem strange to use the term unthinkable, but it should be remembered in what context the season was played. The side were forced to use 38 players due to injury and availability, saw several of their star men called up to the 1st XI and had two captains through the season. To finish third, and still be in with a shout of the title up to week 17, was a remarkable achievement. Much credit must go to Billy Wright who led the side with enthusiasm and skill throughout the second half of the campaign and constantly got the best out of everyone who played.

After two weeks of the season things had not looked so rosy. Rain saved the day on the opening day, with Harold Wood sitting on 52-0 in pursuit of Upminster’s 156, from which James Evans contributed 30. And then in the local derby with Hornchurch the following week Upminster were easily seen off as Hornchurch coasted home by ten wickets after Upminster had posted 133. Things began to change over the next two weeks as the side picked up two excellent wins. On Week 3 Alan Ison, who was not available for the 1st XI due to work commitments, made a wonderful 102 not out, and with support from Harry Jenkins and James Evans Upminster were able to pile up 312-3 before an early declaration. Ilford’s reply did not start well, with Will Chuter doing the damage early on, and despite some late resistance from the home side three wickets for Chuter, Ollie Peck and Dan Tyler helped bowl out Ilford for 175 to give Upminster victory. And a week later Upminster proved to strong for Wanstead and Snaresbrook as they made it two wins in two weeks. Jordan Tigg and Jake Giddings were the main contributors to an Upminster total of 200-5 before Mark D’Cruz produced one of his best ever spells for the 2nd XI (5-54) to bowl Upminster to victory as Wanstead were dismissed for 112.

The good run of form came to a halt a week a later at Chelmer Park where the home side proved to strong for Upminster. Adam Quested and Ollie Heazle both made half centuries but to many others got out at the wrong time and Upminster stumbled to 198-9, frustratingly just short of full batting points. Mark D’Cruz and Arun Kullar reduced Chelmsford to 111-5 in reply but Lee Cranmer and Tom Iliffe saw their side to a five wicket win with unbeaten half centuries. Upminster returned to winning ways the following week with a win over struggling Colchester and East Essex at Upminster Park, in the first of the limited overs fixtures. Jordan Tigg and James Evans opened the Upminster innings and put on three figures for the first wicket as both men made half centuries. Shaffiq Rahman and Nathan Woods then added some late impetus to take Upminster to 244-4 from their 45 overs. Mark D’Cruz and Mark Schofield made early inroads into the visitors batting before Rahman produced a fine nine over spell to claim 2-14 and push Upminster towards victory. Kieran Savill made an unbeaten 50 for his side but it was not enough as Colchester finished on 232-7 to give Upminster a 12 run win.

June then ended with two away wins in local derbies as Upminster moved towards the top end of the table. Firstly at Shenfield, James Evans continued his good form with 69 before Adam Quested, who seems to love batting at Shenfield, made an unbeaten 59 and with contributions from Nathan Woods and Mark Schofield it meant Upminster made 244-6. Will Chuter picked up early wickets in reply and then Shaffiq Rahman continued his excellent form with the ball taking 4-29 as Upminster secured a 51 run win. A week later, and just half a mile up the road, and it was a similar situation as Brentwood were seen off at the Old County Ground. Schofield made 74 and there were contributions from Steve Mack, Shaffiq Rahman, Frank Hazle and Ollie Heazle as Upminster all but matched last week’s score by compiling 241-6. Brentwood were always in the hunt in reply, despite two early wickets from Jeff Mack, but Arun Kullar came into the attack and picked up 5-56 as Brentwood were bowled out for 230 to give Upminster an 11 run win.

World Cup Quarter Final day bought Upminster’s charge up the table to a halt as Woodford Wells took the points at Upminster Park. Terry Wyatt made a fine century for the home side while Tom Daniels made 33 and Adam Quested 47 as the title chasers posted 237-7. After the football it was Wells who reacted better and Alexander Gilbert’s 78 helped the visitors to a four wicket win. Upminster recovered a week later with an extraordinary win over Harold Wood, thanks to Harry Jenkins. 35 extras and ten double figure scores enabled Wood to piled up 282-9 and when the home side slumped to 41-5 the game looked all over. However, Jenkins went on the attack and produced one of the best knocks of his career as he struck 166 from 132 balls to put his side back in the game. Nicky Ison provided solid report and last pair Billy Wright and Mark D’Cruz then saw their side over the line by one wicket with four balls to spare. Belief was growing and it increased further following the local derby with Hornchurch at Harrow Lodge Park. Captain Billy Wright produced his best spell of the season, when it mattered, claiming 5-37 as Hornchurch were shot out for 132. All of Upminster’s top five made double figures in the chase and although nobody made more than 28 it did not matter as the visitors cruised to a seven wicket success. And a week later it was three wins in three weeks as Ilford were seen off at Upminster Park. Nathan Woods, Jordan Tigg, Terry Wyatt and Ollie Heazle were all in the runs as Upminster built steadily, before some late hitting from the captain Billy Wright, now in charge on a permanent basis, lifted the score to 234-7 on a windy afternoon. Maz Malik Pronob Roy started well as Ilford began the chase, but the captain removed both of them on his way to figures of 3-29 and Mark Schofield mopped up the tail with three quick wickets as Ilford were bowled out for 200.

Upminster were now well and truly in the title hunt as they travelled to Wanstead and Snaresbrook at the start of August. With a much changed side Upminster were expected to struggle, but Jordan Tigg (42) and Adam Quested (a superb 62) put Upminster into a good position before Arun Kullar, Luke Read and the captain struck some late blows to help the visitors post 228. Upminster kept things tight at the start of the reply, but a fourth wicket partnership between Ismail Dar and Adam Lord put the hosts in charge. Enter Tom Daniels to remove Dar and run through the middle order to swing the game back in Upminster’s favour. Lord remained though and he took 19 off of the 43rd over to push his side towards victory. With Wanstead nine wickets down and needing three runs to win from the final over two singles were taken before Lord carved Chuter into the grateful hands of Rob White at backward point as the game finished in a tie. Daniels finished with remarkable figures of 6-25.

With five games to go Chelmsford arrived in Upminster but Upminster started well and reduced the visitors to 122-5. At that point Rob Catchpole and Lee Cranmer took the game away from Upminster with a partnership of 104 that enabled Chelmsford to reach 254-9. Only Tom Daniels, with 40, offered serious resistance as the home side were bowled out for 172. The long journey to Castle Park to face Colchester and East Essex a week later produced a draw as Upminster were denied by the last wicket pair. James Evans, Jordan Tigg and Nathan Woods all made half centuries as Billy Wright’s men posted 246-5. Casper Everett got the chase off to a good start with 70 but Mark D’Cruz, captain Wright and Arun Kullar chipped away at the middle order only to be denied maximum points by the last pairing as Colchester closed on 230-9.

With three games to go Upminster knew they probably needed to win every one to have a shot at the tile. First up was Shenfield on what for 2018 was a rare grey and miserable day at Upminster Park. Paul Middlemiss, Nathan Woods, Mark Schofield and Frankie Hazle all made contributions in an Upminster innings of 204-7, which was curtailed due to the rain. This meant Upminster only had 43 overs to bowl out the visitors but they started well with Mark Schofield picking up three wickets. Shenfield kept playing their shots in pursuit of victory but Nathan Bright grabbed two wickets as Upminster sensed victory. With just two balls remaining and Shenfield nine down, Nicky Ison bowled the last man to spark joyous scenes as Upminster claimed victory. This set up a title showdown at Upminster the following week as Brentwood, now leading the table having leapfrogged Hornchurch, came to town. Kieran Emmanuel made a fine 94 for the visitors and Richard Horswill provided support with 71 as Brentwood posted a solid score of 222-5. Upminster’s reply started well as they reached 43-0 and 78-2 but spinner Jack Levy started to take control and he claimed 5-51 as Upminster were dismissed for 163. The result ended Upminster’s title challenge and all but sealed the deal for Brentwood.

The season concluded with a sociable afternoon, and a win, at Woodford Wells. It was fitting at the end of such a season that three club stalwarts produced fine performances. Billy Wright took 4-81 and Nicky Ison 3-41 as Wells made 259-8 at Monkhams Lane. Upminster’s reply didn’t start well but Ison and Terry Wyatt combined in one of the best partnerships of the season to take Upminster to victory. Wyatt finished on an unbeaten 129, his second century of the season, while Ison made 79 not out as Upminster finished with a six wicket win.

It was a great way to end the season and while it was disappointing not to claim the title after such a brilliant season, it was a remarkable effort from those in the side to push Brentwood and Hornchurch so close. There were some thrilling games along the way and contributions from a wide range of individuals which bodes well for the future.