April is nearly here, and we are now just weeks away from the start of the 2026 season. There is lots going on over the coming weeks for everyone associated with the club.

March itself is not quite over yet, and tomorrow evening (March 27th) the UCC football team will be in action once more. They will be taking on JK Silverton at Lakeside Sports Ground (RM16 6DN) with the game being played in aid of the Aching Arms and Petals charities. The action gets going at 7.30pm.

March 30th (Men’s) and March 31st (Women’s) will be the final indoor winter training sessions at the Club Cricket Academy in Ockendon. This year’s winter training programme has been a huge success with high attendance every week as everyone prepares for the summer ahead, and these final sessions wrap up the 10-week schedule.

A busy day is in store on April 18th. The 1st XI will make the short trip to Harrow Lodge Park for a friendly against Hornchurch (12.00pm start) with both sides looking to get into good form ahead of the start of the competitive season. And then that same evening local band 08/09 will be back in action at the Upminster Park Pavilion. This is a Pavilion Club event, open to both cricket and hockey club members and tickets, needed in advance, are available in the Club Shop.

The week commencing April 20th sees the summer training programme get underway at Upminster Park, with junior training on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and senior training taking place on Wednesday evenings. Anyone who is unsure as to what night their age group trains should contact their Team Manager to discuss.

The competitive action for our senior sides begins on April 25th when the 1st XI welcome Buckhurst Hill to Upminster Park in the first round of the Dukes Essex League Cup (12.00pm). The following day (April 26th) will see our Women’s 1st and 2nd XIs also start their competitive seasons. The 1st will entertain Woodford Wells at Upminster Park in the 11Plus Teacher Essex Women’s Premier League Division One, while the 2nd XI will travel to Hutton in Division Two.

And the final day of the month, Thursday 30th April, is Draft Night for Windmill Whack XI. This is always one of the highlights of the year so be sure to end the month at the Pavilion and see who will be playing for what franchises in 2026.

There will of course be other friendly games for our senior sides, and competitive games for our junior sides, arranged for April so please keep an eye on the club’s PlayCicket site and your Pitchero App for details of these.

Our 2026 Fixture Cards will also be delivered to the club in the coming days, and these will then be distributed to all members, while you can find details and dates for a number of other 2026 events here.