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SNEL Week 6 - Review

SNEL Week 6 - Review

Paul Middlemiss17 Jun 2019 - 19:33
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1st XI pick up first league win at sixth time of asking

After four defeats and a draw, the 1st XI finally picked up their first league win of the season with a thrilling victory at Harold Wood. Wood would have gone in to the top two with a win of their own, but a real team performance from Ollie Peck's men meant it was they who took the points. Peck won the toss and chose to bat but saw Farid Butt fall early before Shaffiq and Louis Pickering took the score to 55 before Pickering fell for 29. Shaffiq and Shahbaz rebuilt but they, and Tom Daniels, all fell in quick succession to leave Upminster in a spot of trouble at 123-5. Harry Jenkins and Terry Wyatt then joined forces to steer Upminster towards a competitive score. Wyatt fell for 41 but Jenkins continued, and went on to make an excellent 75 from 62 balls with seven fours and two sixes as Upminster closed on 254-8.

Wood made a fast start to their reply thanks to Maruf Chowdhury (37) and Hafiz Yawar Afzal (75) and they made their way to 100-1 in just the 13th over. Although Upminster fought back, Wood reached 193-3 with 14 overs still remaining and looked set to coast to victory before Pickering and Nicky Ison turned the game, and maybe Upminster's season, on it's head. Pickering claimed 5-55 and Ison 2-30 as Upminster tore through the Wood middle and lower order, leaving Pickering to clean bowl Ed Smith to dismiss the home side for 225 and giving Upminster a win by 29 runs. (Scorecard)

The 2nd XI fell to defeat against local rivals Hornchurch, despite looking for much of the afternoon like they would also pick up their first win of the season. Daniel O'Sullivan made 25 for the visitors but Upminster stuck to their task well to keep the title chasers in check. However, they could not remove Paul Murray who made 79 before becoming one of five victims for the excellent Sam Twine. Twine's spell put Upminster back in charge and Hornchurch fell away to be bowled out for 171. Frank Hazle made a brisk 28 as Upminster reached 38-0, but they then lost wickets to Myles Wells and Kevin Shallow and quickly found themselves 81-4. Josh Lamont and Stu Connor steadied the ship to take the score to 111 but Connor's run out triggered a dramatic collapse as they slid to 126-9. Tom Larke showed some late resistance but Dean Skipper finished with four wickets as Upminster were bowled out for 146. (Scorecard)

The 3rd XI continued their excellent form with a comfortable win over Chelmsford at Coopers. Andy Berry and captain Ollie White were in the wickets to blow away the visitors' top order, before a masterstroke from captain White saw him bring Arun Kullar into the attack and the spinner pick up two wickets in an over to all but finish off the Chelmsford innings. Chelmsford were bowled out for 84, and any worries Upminster would struggle in reply were blown away by Steve Limn. The opener made a fine unbeaten 51 as Upminster cruised to an eight wicket win. (Scorecard)

There was a thrilling finish to the 4th XI's game with table topping Orsett and Thurrock 3s as the match ended in a tie. Max Gordon and Karim Govani reduced Orsett to 65-7 but Alfie Feeney (58) and Iain Oakley (25) helped push the home side up to a competitive total of 138. Ben Calder and Nathan Bright put Upminster into a good position in reply, but when they fell the innings stalled and wickets fell as Stewart Hammond's side struggled towards the line. Dave Brown made 28, but it was left with Upminster needing to make two from the last ball with last pair Govani and Kevin Roome at the wicket. They could only muster one as Roome was run out attempting the second, meaning the game was tied. (Scorecard)

The 5th XI's good run of form came to an end as they were beaten by West Essex 3s. Only three batsmen made double figures for Upminster, Vishal Sharma top scoring with 23. Alex Bottoms' side did make a fight of it in the second innings, with Matthew Bright's 4-19 looking like it might take Upminster to a famous win, but West kept their nerve to claim a two wicket win and extend their lead at the top of the table. (Scorecard)

Sunday saw the 1st XI exit the Conference Cup at Kent Premier Division leaders Bexley. Calum Bassey made a brilliant unbeaten 105 for the home team, and although Billy Wright bowled well to pick up 2-36 Bexley were able to make 238-3 from 40 overs (reduced from 45 overs due to rain). Upminster lost early wickets in reply, and although Louis Pickering and Harry Jenkins both continued their good form, it was to much for Peck's side as they were dismissed for 97. (Scorecard)

With the 1st XI in cup action, a young team travelled to Chelmsford for the Sunday League fixture. Andy Berry struck twice early on, as Upminster produced an excellent performance in the field to reduce Chelmsford to 98-5 with nine overs of the innings remaining. Lee Cranmer (47) and Ben Clifford (57) then combined to push Chelmsford towards a good total, and although Ryan Brown picked up two late wickets, and 13 year old Callum Berry claimed three excellent catches, the home side were able to make 174-8 from their 35 overs. Upminster looked in a good position as they reached 30-1, but they then kept losing wickets at crucial times. Stewart Hammond made an unbeaten half century to keep his side in the game, but Upminster fell short and closed on 142-7 to lose by 32 runs. (Scorecard)

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