Aside from defeats for the 1st and 5th XIs, it was an excellent weekend for the men’s senior sides, with two sides staying in contention for the title and one securing their status for 2024.

The 1st XI put in a good performance with the ball at Fives and Heronians, but could not replicate that with the bat and fell to a heavy defeat. Nehal Butt produced an excellent opening spell to leave Fives 33-2 before a fine catch from Kiran Kullar off of Shaffiq Rahman saw the home side fall to 116-3. However, Feroze Khushi remained at the crease and soon brought up his half century. Upminster’s bowlers continued to do a good job, backed up by some excellent work in the field, but Khushi soon began to cut loose and help his side towards a big score. He reached three figures from 73 balls, and was eventually dismissed for 110 by Ollie Todd, with Max Carter Miller taking an excellent catch. Upminster stuck to their task well, and a total of 295-9 seemed about par on a good track and with two very short straight boundaries. However, Upminster soon found themselves in huge trouble as they fell to 43-5 and the game slipping away from. Ollie White and Kiran Kullar showed plenty of fight with a stand of 44 for the sixth wicket, but Fives bowling attack had to much for the visitors with Bradley Copper picking up 4-37 to help bowl out Upminster for 140.

It was a different story at Upminster Park as the 2nd XI stayed in the Premier Division title race and left opponents Brentwood in danger of the drop. Opener Josh Lamont made a breezy 45 from 43 balls but Upminster were in a little bit of trouble at 31-2. Nicky Ison (31) and Gus Siggins (24) helped them to recover, but a further mini-collapse saw them fall to 148-7. However, an experienced lower order of Terry Wyatt (59 from 46), Alan Ison (19 from 19) and Stu Connor (37 not out from 23) helped the home side to post 259-9. Luke Bircumshaw took 4-47 for the visitors. Lamont removed Callum Balsom early in the Brentwood reply, but Chris Boom, Josh Knightsbridge and Richard Horswill helped put Brentwood in a good position at 101-2. However, the run rate began to climb and with that wickets started to fall. Captain Nicky Ison claimed 3-33, brother Alan picked up 2-20 and Callum Berry took 2-34, including a superb caught and bowled effort, as Brentwood were bowled out for 193. The win leaves Upminster in third place in the table, two points behind Harold Wood and 23 points behind leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook.

The 3rd XI also stayed in their title race with a solid all round performance at Shenfield. At 59-4 Upminster looked like they were in a spot of bother, but Rob Mack and Alex Ward started to turn things around. Ward made 40 from 39 balls before Sam Twine joined Mack and continued the recovery. Mack fell for 42 but Twine looked in superb touch as he passed his half century. The young all-rounder has struggled for runs with the bat this term, but his unbeaten 73 from 48 balls helped his side to make 238-8. Jamie Green bagged a brace of early victims and Dylan Mansell and Michael Jones joined in to leave Shen 46-5 and the game seemingly over as a contest. Henry and Frank Austin had other ideas though and tried to get their side back in the game with 52 and 42 respectively. However, both men were dismissed by Twine, who was enjoying an inspired afternoon, as Shenfield were dismissed for 181. Upminster remain just six points behind Harlow at the top of the table, with just two weeks of the season remaining.

A topsy-turvy afternoon at Coopers ended with the 4th XI picking up a win which secured their divisional status for next season. Captain Ian Munn continued his fine recent form with 50 while Arun Kullar and Matt Mccarthy also helped Upminster reach a good position at 115-3. A middle order collapse then followed though, and at 159-9 the home side were not in a good position. Enter Ben Hamberger to play the game changing innings. He made 53 from just 35 balls and put together a unbroken tenth wicket stand of 63 with Shrey Shah that completely changed the game as Upminster reached 222-9. Shah then claimed three early wickets as Ricay fell to 76-5 but Oscar Harmer then led a fightback of his own for the visitors. He made a hard hitting 89 to keep his side in the game, but his dismissal by Nathan Brown for 89 put Upminster back in charge. When Brown bowled last man and namesake Paul, Ricay were all out for 177 and Munn’s side had secured safety.

The 5th XI were involved in an excellent game at Oakfield Parkonians 4s, but eventually lost out by two wickets. Upminster ensured they used all of their 40 overs as they reached a competitive 175-7. 60 from Pranav Khetia looked to be taking Parks to a comfortable victory, but a four wicket burst from veteran Andrew Berry gave Upminster hope. Parks kept their never however and reached their target with two wickets and more than 20 balls to spare.

The 6th XI kept alive their outside chances of promotion with a seven wicket win against Orsett and Thurrock at Campion School. Thomas Brabin was the star of the show with the ball as his opening burst put Upminster into a commanding position. Brabin picked up five for 24 as Orsett were reduced to 24-5, and although the visitors foughtback the damage had been done. Ollie Hinton claimed two late wickets as Orsett were bowled out for 127. Captain Ray Calder once again led the way with the bat with an unbeaten 44, while another youngster, Thomas Cargill showed his class with a marvellous knock of 55 as Upminster won with time to spare.

There was heartbreak for the Ladies side on Sunday as they fell to their first league defeat of the season despite a remarkable knock from Emma Noller. Visitors Wanstead and Snaresbrook were struggling early on, but 85 from Patel and 49 not out from Talib helped them to reach 180-5 from 30 overs at Coopers. Noller and Zoe Quested (57) put on 131 for the second wicket as Upminster looked to chase down their total, but Quested’s dismissal led to a middle order collapse as Qamar claimed 5-26 for the visitors. Noller remained and finished on 80 not out, but she ran out of partners as Upminster were bowled out for 171 to lose by just nine runs. They do though remain top of the table with two games to play.