After six years in charge, Ian Munn stood aside as 4th XI skipper at the end of the 2024 season.  Matt Ingleson has taken on the role for 2025 and we caught up with him ahead of the new season to hear about his hopes and expectations for the summer.

You're the only new captain for 2025.  What made you take on the role?
Being a captain at Upminster has always been a goal for me.  I love cricket and I love the club. No matter what team I am playing in I just love to play, so when I was asked to take on the role there were no doubts about saying yes.  I'd do anything to help the team out.

Last year was another very solid season for the 4s.  What memories do you have of the season from a personal and team perspective?
Personally, my favourite memory from last season was the game against Oakfield Parkonians with myself and Matt Mccarthy putting together a partnership of 141.  It was a swelteringly hot day and to put together that partnership after bowling out the opposition so cheaply was a fantastic feeling.  And from a team perspective my favourite memory by far was the win against Hadleigh and Thundersley where we bowled them out for 98 and chased it with 25 overs to spare, which was a fantastic team performance, especially with so many youngsters in the side. 

A number of youngsters came into the side last year and did a good job.  How do you see the team evolving this season?
The calibre of youngsters at the club is extraordinary.  So many came into the team last year and put in exceptional performances.  There was Fenton Everingham who made a number of half centuries and Joseph Brooks who had a fantastic all round season and offered loads with bat and ball.  This year I'm hoping we will see some more youngsters come into the team and to excel and show their ability.

How are you looking to build on last season and what are your objectives, individually and collectively, for 2025?
Last season was full of ups and downs with some great wins against strong opposition and a few hard-fought draws as well.  This season I would love for us to work on our consistency of performance and claim more back to back wins.  Obviously for all of us, winning the league would be amazing and that is always our main objective, however I know my first season of captaincy will be tough while I learn the "ins and outs" of the job.  I just want everyone who plays to give everything they've got, and for me personally to contribute as much as I can with the bat and in the field, whilst making the best decisions possible.

Any matches you are particularly looking forward to this season?
I think the game I'm looking forward to most is the opening game of the season against Buckhurst Hill.  It will be my first game as captain and will be a great moment for me personally.  Hopefully we can come away with a win against tough opposition and then continue to play our best throughout the rest of the season.