After a number of seasons spent scrapping towards the bottom of the Division 1 table, it was great for everyone at the club to see the 1st XI competing at the right end of the Division in 2022. An eventual fourth place finish represented significant progress from the last few years, although there may be a tinge of disappointment for many that the season didn't end in promotion after the side were in such a good position at the end of July. However, having had a few weeks to reflect on the campaign, skipper Alan Ison was in a positive mood as he looked back at the summer.

"Overall the season went really well. We finished fourth, so an improvement on the previous year, and it's nice to be back in the Essex League T20 competition for 2023, as we have missed out on this for the last couple of years."

After a good pre-season programme, competitive action started with a League Cup tie against Loughton at HQ. New signing Aaron Beard top scored with 48 before the left arm spin duo of another new signing, overseas star J.J Smuts, and veteran Ollie Peck put Upminster in command. Loughton fought-back, but a stunning catch from Beard secured a 21 run victory. The second round tie a week later against Shenfield saw Peck in the wickets again before Smuts' brutal 130 from 90 balls saw his side to an eight wicket win.

The start of the league campaign saw local friends Gidea Park and Romford come to Upminster Park. Park's total of 242-9 looked a little under par on an excellent batting surface, and so it proved as Pulkit Gupta made a brilliant 106 and with the help of Smuts (83) saw Upminster to a convincing win. The opening pair were to play a crucial role throughout the summer, as Ison noted.

"Pulkit had an outstanding season for the Club. The partnership he built up with JJ was excellent and set us up brilliantly in a lot of our games."

Both openers were in the runs again the following week at Woodford Wells, as six of the top seven passed 20, but with James Evans' 48 being top score, Upminster's 262-8 was a little less than they would have hoped for. However, three wickets for Billy Wright helped see Upminster to their second successive league win. The Upminster Park wicket was a batters paradise for much of the summer thanks to the work of Groundsman Mark Severn, and this work was evidenced in Week 3 as Loughton were the visitors. Hamza Ahmed made 115 for Loughton as they piled up 350-4. James Evans made 82 as Upminster stayed in the game, and Harry Jenkins and Kiran Kullar looked as though they may take Upminster to victory, before Loughton eventually prevailed by 34 runs. Evans was in the runs again a week later at Harold Wood, as was skipper Alan Ison, but Upminster's 298-7 was surpassed with some ease by the home side who won by four wickets. Upminster bounced back as the first set of limited overs games concluded, with Gupta's ton helping them to a fine win over Buckhurst Hill. It was the game which the skipper looks back on as his favourite performance of the season.

"We did well to beat Buckhurst Hill at home, chasing 280 odd. That one would be the standout team performance of the season. We bowled and fielded well to keep them to 280 and then the chase was brilliant."

The timed games began with a visit from Billericay in early June, and while Smuts made an excellent 52 he was outshone on this occasion by compatriot Grant Roelofsen whose century took "Ricay" to the top of the table at that stage. Smuts and Peck shared eight wickets between them at the Paddock as Fives and Heronians were restricted to 184 before the South African star then made 85 to keep Upminster in the promotion picture. A much changed side then saw off Ilford by ten wickets as June came to an end. Smuts made 78 not out, but it was five wickets from Nehal Butt in the Ilford innings which was the standout performance, and one which Ison felt reflected the young all rounders' efforts throughout the season.

"I was pleased with how Nehal bowled throughout the campaign. I am hoping he pushes on next season now."

Upminster's promotion push was gaining momentum as the season reached the halfway stage, and a victory at Wickford kept them very much in the title race. Smuts and Gupta made a huge dent in the home side's total of 235, before captain Ison came in to quickly finish things off. There was nearly a hiccup at Gallows Corner as Upminster struggled to chase down 147 before eventually prevailing by two wickets, before Woodford Wells were seen off at Upminster Park with Smuts claiming five wickets and Gupta top scoring in a seven wicket win. That result set up a meeting of the top two at Loughton in late July. Gupta, Smuts and Ison all made half centuries to take Upminster to 272-9 before Smuts and Peck raced through the Loughton batting line up. However, Loughton's last pair clung on to secure the draw, a result which would take on growing significance over the next few weeks. Upminster were bidding for their first League Cup Semi Final appearance in 13 years a day later as Brentwood came to town. Gupta showed his quality with 116, but only one other batter passed 20 as Upminster were bowled out for 205. It was nowhere near enough as the Premier League side cruised to victory.

Upminster bounced back from that result a week later as Harold Wood made the short trip to Upminster for a game which lasted less than 43 overs. Ollie Todd claimed 4-27 to help bowl out Wood for 118 before Smuts and Gupta rushed Upminster to a ten wicket win in 13.5 overs. At that stage Upminster were in pole position for promotion, but the next two weeks saw their hopes take two huge blows. Firstly at Buckhurst Hill, Ison's men were beaten by 131 runs by their fellow promotion chasers, and then seven days later at Billericay an almost identical performance saw Upminster well beaten once again.

Upminster were not out of the promotion hunt as they welcomed Fives and Heronians to Upminster Park in late August, but they were by that evening as Fives won by eight wickets to push Upminster down into fourth place. Things didn't improve at Valentines Park on the penultimate weekend of the season as Ilford won by six wickets, but it was pleasing for everyone that after such a positive summer the season concluded with an extraordinary win over Wickford at Upminster Park. Adam Wheater made his debut for the club and marked the occasion by making 124 from 70 balls, but he was outshone by club stalwart Harry Jenkins. A once in a lifetime knock from Jenkins saw him strike 26 boundaries and 6 maximums as he made 200 from just 126 balls!! It happened to be his maiden league century (and double century) for the 1st XI!!! All of that meant Upminster piled up 460-9 before Wickford replied with 311-9 to give Upminster victory by 149 runs. It was a fitting way to end an excellent season.

"I would like to thank all of the players for giving me 100% in every game. The atmosphere around the changing room was fantastic so I am hoping we can keep that going moving forward."

With the likes of Tom Daniels, Josh Lamont, Aki Rahman and Ehsan Afzal impressing in the twos and pushing for places in the 1st XI, Ison is hopeful of another good season in 2023.

"Looking ahead to next season, I am hoping for another promotion push. I think we had a good chance this year and we let it slip, so we need a good winter, some fresh signings and we should then be looking to get back into the Prem."