Kiran Kullar started the 2025 season in style with a brilliant innings of 122 as Upminster claimed a narrow victory over near neighbours Hornchurch in Saturday's friendly encounter at Harrow Lodge Park.

Kullar was captaining the Upminster side in the absence of Pulkit Gupta and Aaron Beard, and the opener helped put on 68 for the first wicket with debutant Ian Russell, before Russell fell to youngster Billy Whitlock who went on to claim impressive figures of 2-47.  Kullar began to strike the ball nicely in the middle of the Upminster innings, and he enjoyed an excellent third wicket stand of 86 with Zoran Suneel (27) as Upminster moved towards a competitive score.  Kullar soon reached three figures, and once past that landmark he continued to find the boundary before being caught by home skipper George Hankins off the bowling of Tom Fletcher.  Upminster debutant Gus Philpott showed what an asset he will be for the summer ahead as he struck five fours and two maximums in an unbeaten 49 from just 29 balls as Upminster reached 253-5 from their 40 overs.

Philpott then removed Hornchurch opener Luke Edwards without scoring before claiming the scalp of Paul Murray to put Upminster on top. However, Hankins showed his power with the bat, striking a number of boundaries to get Hornchurch back in the game.  Philpott and Max Carter-Miller worked their way through the middle order to put Upminster back on top, but Hankins found a willing partner in Joseph Ross and those two put on 54 for the seventh wicket.  However, when Hankins fell for 90 off the bowling of Ollie Burley Upminster sensed victory, and although Ross made a brilliant 58 he was last man out as Upminster won by 12 runs.  

Many thanks to Hornchurch for hosting the game and we wish them well for the rest of the 2025 season.

Sunday saw the Women's 2nd XI take on Hutton in a friendly at the Polo Ground. Batting first, Upminster lost four early wickets to find themselves in trouble, but Lois Gable held firm and along with Lauren Plumb they began to get their side back into the game.  Plumb's departure signalled another collapse as Shankar claimed 3-14 for the home side, and although Gable remained unbeaten on 31, Upminster were bowled out for 76.

Plumb and Keya Shah both struck early in the Hutton reply to reduce the home side to 16-2, but 30 not out from Hoyle helped Hutton to a four wicket win, despite Claudia Brunt also picking up a wicket for Upminster.

Competitive cricket begins next weekend when the 1st XI take on Old Southendians in the Dukes Essex League Cup (Saturday) before the Women's 1st and 2nd XIs start their league seasons on Sunday.