The builders may need to quickly return to the Upminster Park Pavilion and extend the new trophy cabinet after another remarkable Sunday of Central Cup Finals for the club's juniors.  The club had sides in five finals (following on from four last Sunday) and came away with four trophies as the junior season neared its conclusion.

FIrst to get their hands on some winners medals were the U13s as they put in a commanding performance to overcome Shenfield at Chelmer Park.  Upminster won the toss and chose to bowl first, and their six man attack of Lowe, Narbheram, Hayes, Treadwell, Latey and Sousanna all picked up wickets as Shenfield lost early wickets.  Narbheram ended with 3-14 and although Shenfield's lower order showed some resistance, a fine catch from Aiden McNeela and a run out from William Peck meant they were eventually bowled out for 45.  Henry Madsen and George Ashlin got the Upminster reply off to an excellent start, and although Ashlin fell just before the end Kayhan Suneel joined Madsen and they saw their side to a nine wicket win with more than 11 overs to spare.  

Just through the Chelmer Park hedge the U9s were taking on Billericay at Galleywood CC in the Softball Cup Final.  Billericay asked Upminster to bat first in the terriers format contest, and Jack Garvey, Lyell Hedblad, Toby Wright and Elliot Peck all finished on double figure net scores as their side posted a challenging net total of 312. Billericay were always in the chase and put up a great fight, but four wickets for Peck and two for Zavian Vaja meant they finished on a net score of 249 as Upminster won by 63 runs.

Back at Coopers the U13 Girls came out on top against Hutton in the most exciting final of the day.  Hutton asked Upminster to bat first and at 48-7 it looked like the "hosts" may be struggling to post a competitive score.  However, Mari Stander played a brilliant innings for her side, making her way to the retirement mark of 30 and helping to guide her side to a total of 79 which gave them something to bowl at.  Upminster skipper Priya Somani then ripped through the Hutton top order to put her side in charge, and at 60-9 with just four overs remaining it looked like Hutton were going to miss out, only for Matilda Hamilton and Charlotte Gibson to put together a brilliant last wicket stand.  They took their side to within touching distance of victory as seven were needed from seven balls, before Lyla Tolan claimed the final wicket to give Upminster a six run win.

The afternoon session at Chelmer Park then saw the U13s take on Brentwood .  Brentwood won the toss and decided to bowl first, and it looked a good decision as they picked up a wicket in the first over of the match.  However, it was the only wicket they took in the Upminster innings as the rest of the batting line up put their side in charge.  William Peck, Billy Sheridan and Johnny Johal all reached the retirement mark, and with Jack Butler also adding some late runs Upminster ended on what looked like a good total of 160-1.  Ethan Lowe and Aarav Sindhe put Brentwood into a good position at 39-1 before Butler was introduced into the attack.  He claimed 3-12 and with Harrison Simpson picking up 2-11 Brentwood ended on 84-8 as Upminster took the honours by 76 runs.  The victory completed the treble for the U12s who had already claimed the Central League title as well as winning the Brian Taylor Trophy for the first time in the club's history.  

The day concluded with the U12 Girls taking on Writtle at Coopers in the Softball Final.  When Writtle fell to 20-5 and 39-6 it looked like an early finish may be on the cards, but a brilliant partnership from Amber Holmes and Olivia Farrow put their side back in the game.  Holmes batted to the end of the innings to make a brilliant 30 not out, and although Sophia Dansie picked up three wickets for Upminster, Writtle will have been pleased with their score of 99-9.  The start of the Upminster innings mirrored Writtle's as Hannah Irons and Emily Noble put Upminster on the back foot before Ciara Taylor tried to lead the Upminster fightback.  When Taylor went though Upminster were up against it, and they were eventually bowled out for 65 as Writtle won by 34 runs.  

Sunday's victories meant Upminster were victorious in seven of the 14 Central Cup competitions, whilst they claimed runners-up spots in two others.  They have also claimed five Central League titles as well as the Brian Taylor Trophy, and there are still one or two honours still up for grabs.  247 games have so far been played (as well as a number of festivals) and we hope to pass the 250 barrier in the coming days.