A long afternoon (and evening) for the 1st XI ended with them squeezing through to the second round of the Dukes Essex League Cup on Saturday. The victory sets up a second round tie with Shenfield at Upminster Park next Saturday. Alan Ison won the toss and decided to bat, but he was one of three early victims as the home side fell to 22-3. Debutant Aaron Beard was joined by Nehal Butt and their stand of 68 helped Upminster get back into the game before Butt became one of four victims for Loughton seamer Omar Akram. Tom Daniels looked in excellent touch as he and Beard continued to rebuild, but when Beard (48) and Terry Wyatt fell in quick succession Upminster were back in trouble at 135-6. Daniels went on to make 30 and with useful contributions from Ellis Pickering, Ollie Todd and Billy Wright, Upminster were able to climb to 217-9 from their 50 overs.

Loughton made a confident start to their reply as the opening pair passed 50, but the captain introduced himself into the attack and quickly dismissed opener Alan Jones. Loughton continued to make steady progress but a remarkable piece of fielding from Ellis Pickering led to a run out as Upminster scrapped to stay in the game. The slow left arm duo of Chairman Ollie Peck and Overseas star Jon-Jon Smuts then turned the screw to put the squeeze on Loughton, but Bilal Butt remained at the crease for the visitors and kept his side in contention. Butt and Lewis Catlow looked to be taking their side towards victory but Beard returned to the attack and turned the game Upminster's way as he trapped Butt LBW for 43 and then cleaned up Zachary Chauhan for a duck. Billy Wright claimed the ninth wicket as Upminster sensed victory, but Catlow opened his shoulders in a bid to get his team over the line. 22 were required for victory when he struck Wright into the deep where Beard claimed a stunning catch to take Upminster home.

The 2nd XI friendly between the two clubs was a more one-sided affair, with Upminster winning by 129 runs. Aki Rahman continued his good form with another half century and stand-in skipper James Evans also made 50 before retiring as Upminster piled up the runs. Veteran Shaff Rahman and youngster Callum Berry then combined to take the game away from their hosts. Rahman made 42 while Berry went on to make a sparkling century from just 49 balls, striking eight 4s and seven 6s in the process. All of that meant Upminster closed on 290-3. Loughton's reply started steadily and at one point they were 109-3, but the required run rate had climbed significantly. Mit Shah and Alfie Horan then worked their way through the middle and lower order as Loughton were bowled out for 161.

Sunday's Friendly game with Old Fallopians at Upminster Park was unfortunately abandoned after a nasty injury to the Fallopians batsman. We wish Jakeria Ahmed all the best and hope he is back in action soon.