August is nearly here and remarkably we are now two thirds of the way through a very busy season. There is much still to play for over the next six weeks with a number of senior and junior sides in contention for honours as the season moves towards its climax.

Friday afternoon will see the Midweek XI continue their campaign in the European Cricket Series event at Hornchurch. It’s been tough going for Upminster in their first few games, but they will be hoping to pick up some points when they face Fearless Lions of West Ham at 10.30am and then Sharks Cricket Academy at 4.30pm.

Of course, the weekend will then begin with Friday night junior training taking place as normal and we request that with the sun once again shining brightly, all parents and guardians ensure their children bring plenty of water with them and wear an appropriate hat/cap if possible. Wholeslice (at Roots) will once again be on site taking orders for their legendary pizzas while this evening's match from The Hundred will be shown live on the screens.

Wholeslice have kindly offered to assist with the disposal of pizza boxes from this week, so once you have finished your pizzas if you could please take your boxes back to the ordering table so they can be disposed of. PLEASE NOTE, ACCESS TO THE PAVILION AND BAR IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY AND YOUR PITCHERO APP WILL NEED TO BE SHOWN TO USE THE FACILITIES.

It’s a huge Saturday afternoon for the 1st XI as they travel down the A127 to face Old Southendians in a crucial top of the table Division One clash. The sides are yet to meet this season and the two fixtures between the sides will go a long way towards deciding who takes the title and who is promoted. The 2nd XI will be looking to bounce-back from last week’s loss to Hutton as they welcome Ilford to Upminster Park while the 3rd XI will be hoping to keep up their title charge against Brentwood at Coopers.

On Sunday, the Women’s 1st XI will be looking to keep alive their title hopes when they host Bishop’s Stortford at Upminster Park while the 2nd XI travel to Frenford hoping to build on last week’s success at Wanstead.

Also on Sunday, there are five junior games taking place across the day, and of course, on Monday the U13 Ultras head to Teddington CC to take part in the Regional Finals Day of the National Cup.

Full list of senior games for this weekend:

SATURDAY
1st XI @ Old Southendians – 12.00pm – HFEL 1st XI Div 1;
2nd XI v Ilford – 12.00pm – Upminster Park - HFEL 2nd XI Prem Div;
3rd XI v Brentwood – 12.00pm – Coopers School - HFEL 3rd XI Prem Div;
4th XI @ Benfleet 3rd XI – 12.00pm - HFEL 3rd XI Div 1;
5th XI @ Belhus 3rd XI – 12.00pm - HFEL 4th XI Prem East Div;
6th XI v Southend on Sea & EMT 3rd XI – 1.00pm – Campion School - Mid Essex League Div 9;
7th XI v Benfleet – 1.00pm – Brian Clay Ground - Mid Essex League Div 10;
Friendly XI @ West Mersea – 1.00pm - Friendly;

SUNDAY
Women’s 1st XI v Bishop’s Stortford – 1.00pm – Upminster Park - EWPL Div 1;
Women’s 2nd XI @ Frenford – 1.00pm - EWPL Div 2;

We hope to see many members, junior players and junior parents at the club over the weekend, and we ask that everyone plays their part in making the weekend run smoothly by placing litter in the bins provided, returning glasses to the bar and respecting bar staff and other club officials at all times.