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SIX FROM SIX FOR UPMINSTER 

SIX FROM SIX FOR UPMINSTER 

Paul Middlemiss2 Aug 2020 - 21:01
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Six wins from six for senior sides on perfect Saturday afternoon

For only the third occasion in recent times, Upminster recorded six wins from six on Saturday afternoon.  Four of the victories were of a relatively comfortable nature, but the 3rd and 4th XI had to work hard to pick up maximum points.

The 1st XI eventually won with something to spare, but at 124-5 it didn't look like things would be plain sailing.  However, seasoned campaigner James Evans joined forces with 14 year old Callum Berry to lead Upminster towards a big total.  Evans batted patiently and superbly to finish unbeaten on 117, while Berry made his maiden 1st XI half century ending on 62 as Alan Ison's side closed on 258-5.  Goresbrook's reply got off to a disastrous start as Ehsan Afzal, Louis Pickering and John Curtis ripped through the top order to leave the home side 37-7.  Goresbrook dug in and fought back as they made Upminster work hard for their win, but they were eventually bowled out for 104.

In the reverse fixture at Upminster Park, there were runs galore for Nicky Ison's men as they took advantage of the hot conditions and flat wicket.  Shaffiq Raham fell early but Tom Daniels and Nehal Butt then took the game away from the visitors.  Daniels made 71 while Butt went on to make a sparkling 122 from just 85 balls including 9 fours and 3 sixes as the runs piled up.  Captain Ison then made 65 from 36 deliveries as his side closed on a daunting 307-3 from their 40 overs.  Ashgar Ali made 69 for the visitors to keep them in the game, but the young home attack stuck to their task and restricted Goresbrook to 182-8 with Sam Twine taking 3-22.

The 3rd XI were thankful for the sixth wicket stand between Rob Mack and captain Ollie White in their win over local rivals Hornchurch at Coopers.  Hornchurch batted first and six of their top seven made double figures, but Upminster's bowlers stuck to their task and kept taking wickets to keep the visitors' innings in check.  Kieran Terrey made 51 but 4-19 from Mark Schofield helped restrict Hornchurch to 180-8.  Akibur Rahman and Dan Simpson put on 52 in seven overs to get the reply off to a fast start, but youngster Connor Hartwell picked up 3-28 to peg Upminster back to 94-5 and leave the game in the balance.  However, Mack and White then combined to put their side back on top, putting on 70 to ease the home side's nerves.  Mack was run out for 37 with just 17 needed, but White remained to the end finishing unbeaten on 48 to give Upminster a four wicket win.

Comeback of the day has to go to the 4th XI who looked out of the game at Hutton for large parts of the afternoon but eventually won by two wickets.  An unbeaten 85 from Joe Hills helped Hutton to 173-5, while Rohan Mayor took 4-31 for Upminster.  Steve Limn made 38 as Upminster set about their chase, but at 89-7 the game looked up for Ian Munn's men.  However, Mayor and Arun Kullar had other ideas and their stand of 63 gave Upminster hope.  Kullar fell for 41 but Mayor kept his nerve to finish on 32 not out and with Ryan Brown for support they saw their side home with two wickets and two balls to spare.

The 5th XI picked up their first win of the season with a 72 run win over Ilford at Campion.  Rafe Smallman made 70, Ben Calder 66 and in form Alex Bottoms an unbeaten 38 as Upminster piled up 263-3.  Calder and Bottoms added 100 runs in the last 7 overs of the innings.  lford batted solidly in reply but never looked likely to reach their target.  They finished on 191-8 with George King picking up three wickets for the home side.

There was also a first win of the season for the 6th XI as they overcame Hornchurch in a friendly.  Hornchurch's young side battled hard to make 103, with 34 from Tony Willison being the top score.  Mike Jones and Ben Hamberger were the pick of the Upminster attack.  Captain Ray Calder made 37 in the Upminster reply, and although there were a few stumbles along the way, Upminster won by four wickets.  

In Sunday's Womens Windmill Whack the Ace Avengers picked up their first win of the competition with a nine run win over the Phoenix in a closely fought contest at Upminster Park.  In the afternoon's mens contests, the Chairman's Choice made it two wins from two with a victory over the Hunter Hurricanes.  Kevin Roome and John Curtis starred with the bat for the Choice before the slow bowling of Sean Richardson and Matt Chapman saw their side to victory despite a half century from Will Frost.  

The second game of the day between the Apple Finance Firebirds and the Goani Maestros saw an unfortunate injury to veteran Paul Stratton during the Maestros innings. The game was held up for around an hour so Stratton could receive treatment.  We are pleased to report that Paul is safe and well this evening and would like to thank all those who assisted him, and the London Ambulance Service for attending.  The delay meant the game was reduced to 15 overs per side and the Maestros finished on 105-9.  The Firebirds looked to be cruising to victory as Steve Wright and Mike Jones batted well, but some fine spin bowling from James Aggio Brewe and Arun Kullar meant 12 were needed from the last and Harry Jenkins side could only make eight of them as the Maestros won by three runs.  

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