After weeks of u-turns and rumours, recreational cricket for the 2020 was finally given the all clear late on Friday 3rd July, and eight days later four Upminster sides were lined up and ready for action. That the club was in a position to field four sides just days after the all clear was given was a huge credit to all those involved both on and off the pitch, and the spirit shown to keep the club running through the worrying times of March, April, May and June, would be very much in evidence over the next 10 weeks.

The first weekend of the season saw friendly fixtures take place, and new captain Alan Ison took his new look 1st XI to Orsett and Thurrock. Ison's men could be excused for their rusty looking batting performance, but 14 year old Callum Berry showed his exciting potential by top scoring on his first team debut as Upminster were bowled out for 108. Orsett also struggled in reply but veteran Matt Hills steered his side to victory. It was a different story in the 2nd XI game between the two clubs at Upminster Park where another veteran, Shaffiq Rahman, made an unbeaten half century as Upminster picked up a six wicket win. Upminster also won the 3rd XI game at School Lane where Stew Hammond was in the runs and Mark Schofield picked up a sensational four wickets in four balls to take his side to victory (however this may not have happened as it is not on PlayCricket). The 5th XI completed the day's action, and although they fell to a defeat against Oakfield Parkonians there were four wickets for 13 year old Jamie Green and 46 with the bat for his colts team mate Gus Siggins. Sunday saw one of only two appearances for the Sunday Friendly XI during the season as they beat Tetherdown Trundlers thanks to wickets from stalwart Karim Govani and runs from youngster Nathan Brown.

Monday saw the SNEL Committee announce the reformatted divisions for the 2020 league season, and the make-up of the Ten Doeschate Division, which the 1st XI would compete in, was the cause for much debate!! However, Saturday came and Alan Ison's side made the short journey to Harrow Lodge to face Hornchurch 2s in their first competitive game. Kiran Kullar and Pulkit Gupta put together a fine partnership as Ison's men made 209-5, and while there were a few nervous moments later in the afternoon Upminster picked up a 46 run win. The 2nd XI also started with a win as they overcame Brentwood 3s. Stu Connor and Adam John Quested were in the runs, something which would continue over the coming weeks, before Louie Collins and Sam Twine picked up three wickets apiece to help Upminster to a 35 run win. The shock of the opening day came at Campion where the 3rd XI, Premier Division champions in 2018 and 2019 fell to a defeat against Gidea Park and Romford. Half centuries for Oliver White and Pete Thompson helped Upminster recover from 6-4, but Mark Hope steered the visitors to a comfortable win. There was no such problems for the 4th XI who beat their Gidea Park counterparts by seven wickets, Jamie Green in the wickets again, but the 5th XI fell to a defeat at Hutton despite an excellent innings from Alex Bottoms.

Windmill Whack V got underway the following day, and the first edition of the Windmill Whack Women's Edition also started. The Apple Finance Firebirds saw off the Hunter Hurricanes in front of a healthy crowd, while the Chairman's Choice returned to action, rather aptly on the Chairman's 40th birthday, with a win over the Kushoom Bugh Tigers. Meanwhile the Phoenix overcame the Panthers in the first ever women's match of the inaugural competition.

Week two of the league programme was ruined by the weather. After weeks locked inside with the sun shining it was somewhat ironic to see heavy rain fall across the County throughout much of the afternoon. The weather almost certainly robbed the 1st XI of victory after they had piled up 301-6 against Old Brentwoods. Pulkit Gupta kept up his brilliant start for the club with a wonderful century, while Alan Ison and Louis Pickering both passed 50 before the weather set in. The 2nd XI looked set for a good game with Gidea Park and Romford as they made 200-7 thanks again to Stu Connor and Adam John Quested, as well as Josh Lamont and Nicky Ison. However, the weather meant the game never started again after the end of the Upminster innings. It was a similar story for the 3rd XI at Harold Wood where Matt Mccarthy and Akibar Rahman helped Upminster to 174-5 before the game was abandoned. The only completed league game of the day was the 4th XI match against Brentwood 5s at Coopers, but captain Ian Munn may have wished it had rained there to!!! George King made 43 to help Upminster to 173-9 but Shane Surujbally made a brilliant 81 not out as Brentwood reached 145-2 before the rain came, but the visitors won on run rate. Alex Bottoms continued his remarkable start to the season with another half century for the 5th XI, but they were also thwarted by the weather at Oakfield Parkonians. The 6th XI braved the conditions but ended up losing out to Hornchurch Athletic in a thrilling friendly at Campion. Upminster were in huge trouble early on but Don Triggs made his highest score (79) for 17 years, and with support from Jordan Southan and Azim Choudry helped to set a challenging total before Athletic squeezed home by two wickets with two overs to spare.

The Windmill Whack action continued the next day as the Kushoom Bugh Tigers overcame the Govani Maestros, while in the Womens Edition the Panthers lost to Burley's Bandits and the Sharks underlined their favourites tag with a win over the Ace Avengers.