A tight encounter was expected between the two sides and that is exactly how things played out, although Upminster eventually proved too strong for their opponents.

Captain Jami Armes elected to bowl first upon winning the toss and she would have been delighted to see Alex Semon take two wickets in the second over of the Frenford innings. Semon went on to finish with 4-22 as Upminster took wickets at regular intervals to stay on top, and although the extras count (53) was higher than Armes would have liked she will have been happy to have restricted Frenford to a net score of 300 (145-9, beginning on 200).

Upminster's opening pair of Holly Minney and Julie Hand made an excellent start to the Upminster reply, and although Frenford hit back with wickets during pairs two and three Upminster remained in control with eight overs to go. Veteran pairing Emma Noller and Angela Green took Upminster to the brink of victory but Frenford hit back with wickets early in the last pair to stay in the game. However, Semon and Jess Priestly kept their nerve in the dusk to see Upminster to the finish line as the Blast winners finished on a net score of 313 (148-7, beginning on 200).

The victory rounds off a brilliant season for Armes and the Upminster Softball squad who also reached the final of the Essex Softball Series earlier in the season.

Congratulations to Frenford for their run to the final and many thanks to Writtle CC for being wonderful hosts as always, Essex Cricket in the Community for their organisation of the event and London Southend Airport for their generous support of the competition.

Upminster Final Squad: Jami Armes (cap), Julie Hand, Holly Minney, Sarah Lowrie, Samantha Bradford, Isabella Overy, Angela Green, Emma Noller, Alex Semon, Jess Priestly, Katy Constantine, Evie Page