The summer of 2018 was truly a great time to be alive. England had reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, the weather was as hot as ever and the nation was gripped with the latest series of Love Island. Upminster CC very own Love Island wannabe heart-throb Josh Lamont was also leading his 3rd XI to their first every Premier League Championship.

Vice-Captain Anthony Limn talks us through the magical day-

We were trying to work out the permutations ahead of the game, win batting second which we had done all season, or a draw taking at least 7 points would see us win the title.

However team tosser and captain Josh Lamont lost the toss and we were asked to bat first on a cloudy day at fortress coopers.

Good to see that Wells had not loaded up a side knowing that a win was their only chance of taking the crown, however the team was comfortably stronger than the one Upmonster chased down a score of 270+ on the postage stamp at Wells.

Unfortunately hero of the reverse fixture, Steve Limn, was out in the first over, nicking behind an absolute seed. Quickly followed by a number of the top order all in reasonably good form, including captain Lamont and 3rdXI stalwart Rob White. Another 3rd XI fixture, Paul Middlemiss remained unscathed through the early carnage, and following a couple of middle and lower order partnerships, got us up to a competitive 177

Upminster started well removing the dangerous Mark Webb, playing his last league game before heading for the bright lights of the Canary Islands.

Our fielding in the first half of the game was on fire a particularly good catch taken by the skipper at mid-off.

Regular wickets were taken but Wells had got the equation down to around a run a ball off the final 12 overs with a handful of wickets intact. Their hope was to go big at one or two balls an over and was working until Maxwell Creese sent one up with snow on it and was caught by Lamont at long off.

Wells chipped away at the target and got the total needed down to 12 when Will Chuter, who debuted in the 3s seven years previously, took the title sealing wicket trapping their number 11 lbw, sparking wild celebrations.

Particularly pleasing for Middle and Browns who had tried for many a year to win the league and for Bobby Mack, who was not in the side that day, but who had contributed so much for the cause and was rightly given the honour of lifting the silverware at the league dinner.

We asked Captain Josh Lamont also for his highlights of the day:

• Webbys final ever game and he ended up getting caught down the legside off Bezza.

• Both teams had identical starts being 4 down for nothing.

• Middle despite being 70* was still gutted when he run Oliver out. His 80 odd not was probably greatest display of grit ever.

• Browns rolled back the years with a great display of bowling. After playing a horrible slog when we were 40-5.

• Dan Tylers fitting send off before moving to New Zealand

(Scorecard)