The sun looks set to shine for another busy weekend at Upminster Cricket Club. The weekend will kick off with junior training this evening (Friday) from 5.30pm and the FIFA World Cup continuing to be shown on the screens in the Pavilion. The bar will be open all evening with Wholeslice (at Roots) on site taking orders for their legendary pizzas. Wholeslice have kindly offered to assist with the disposal of pizza boxes from this week, so once you have finished your pizzas if you could please take your boxes back to the ordering table so they can be disposed of.

Our Women’s Softball Side are also in action on Friday night when they make the short trip to Cromer Road (Hornchurch) to take on the hosts, Harold Wood and Hornchurch Athletic in the latest round of games in the Essex Softball Series.

After a first league defeat of the season last Saturday the 1st XI will look to return to winning ways when they welcome Hadleigh & Thundersley to Upminster Park (12.00pm). JJ Smuts returns to the side after winning the EUT20 Belgium competition with Ghent Gladiators and Aaron Beard’s side will be hoping to keep up the pressure on the top two, Aztecs and Billericay, who meet at St Chads Park. The 2nd XI are on the road as they face good friends Woodford Wells while the 3rd XI entertain Harlow and the 4th XI will look to keep up their 100% record when they go to Wanstead & Snaresbrook.

Don’t forget, Saturday night also sees Elton John Night taking place at the club with a few tickets still available at £5 per head.

Sunday sees the Windmill Whack return with the BrewDog Braves taking on the Griffin Grandmasters at Upminster Park at 1.30pm. That is the only senior action scheduled for Sunday but there are a number of junior games taking place. The U16s already have a win on the board in the Matchplay as opponents Billericay have conceded while other highlights include the U14 Ultras hosting Great Baddow at Upminster Park and the U11 Girls taking on Hornchurch Athletic in a local derby at Hylands Park.

Senior fixtures for the weekend:

FRIDAY
Women’s Softball @ Hornchurch – 6.00pm (v Hornchurch, Hornchurch Athletic, Harold Wood) – Essex Softball Series;

SATURDAY
1st XI v Hadleigh & Thundersley – 12.00pm – Upminster Park - HFEL 1st XI Div 1;
2nd XI @ Woodford Wells – 12.00pm – HFEL 2nd XI Prem Div;
3rd XI v Harlow – 12.00pm – Coopers School - HFEL 3rd XI Prem Div;
4th XI @ Wanstead & Snaresbrook – 12.00pm – HFEL 3rd XI Div 1;
5th XI v Wickford – 12.00pm – Campion School - HFEL 4th XI Prem East Div;
6th XI @ Hatfield Peverel 2nd XI – 1.00pm - Mid Essex League Div 9;
7th XI v Rankins 2nd XI – 1.00pm – Brian Clay Ground - Mid Essex League Div 10;
8th XI v Stanford Le Hope 5th XI – 12.30pm – Coopers School (astro) – Friendly;
Friendly XI @ Herongate & Ingrave – 1.00pm – Friendly;

SUNDAY
Windmill Whack – BrewDog Braves v Griffin Grandmasters – 1.30pm – Upminster Park;

We hope to see many members, junior players and junior parents at the club over the weekend, and we ask that everyone plays their part in making the weekend run smoothly by placing litter in the bins provided, returning glasses to the bar and respecting bar staff and other club officials at all times.