Upminster’s U12s became the first side in the club’s history to reach the final of the Brian Taylor Trophy when they overcame Coggeshall Town yesterday. A fine all round team performance saw them win by six wickets and head through to the showpiece final where they will take on Loughton. Elliott Russell and Stefan Stander took two wickets each to reduce Coggeshall to 55-6 at Upminster Park, and at that stage an early finish looked in prospect. However, Ted Lesiak and Elijah Breame had other ideas and got their side back in the game. Opener Lesiak batted throughout the innings to make an unbeaten 64 while Bream struck 33 not out from 34 balls to take Town to a competitive 134-6 from their 30 overs. Upminster found themselves 39-2 in reply and the game was in the balance, but Kayhan Suneel and Johnny Johal steadied the ship with an excellent third wicket stand. Johal fell for 28 and Upminster still had work to do at 120-4, but Stefan Stander showed a cool head while Suneel continued his fine innings at the other end. Suneel eventually ended 55 not out as Upminster won by six wickets with three overs to spare.

The afternoon saw the next round of games in the Windmill Whack take place. In the early afternoon encounter the Govani Maestros kept alive their slim hopes of making it to Finals Day with a victory over the Kushoom Bugh Tigers. And then in the evening contest the Mullis & Peake Monarchs kept up their unbeaten start to the season with a win over the previously unbeaten Griffin Grandmasters.

The Lower XI tour of Derbyshire opened with an exciting contest at Shipley Hall CC. Shipley batted first and made 242, with four balls of their 40 overs not used. Upminster looked on course for a quick victory as they chased down their target but were eventually bowled out with the scores level.