The first weekend of competitive action saw the 1st XI see off Old Southendians to advance to the second round of the Dukes Essex League Cup.  Captain Aaron Beard won the toss at Garon Park and asked Southendians to bat, and the skipper and Max Carter-Miller put the visitors in charge with fine early spells.  Hafiz Yawer Afzal made 34 for the home side at the top of the order, but he was bowled by veteran Shafiq Rahman to put Upmister on top before Beard made a bowling change that would hasten the result of the match.  Introducing himself back into the attack, the former Essex all rounder ripped through the middle and lower order, ending with figures of 6-16 as Southendians collapsed to 136 all out. 

Opener Kiran Kullar continued his early season good form as he and Mo Ahmad put on 71 in just ten overs before Kullar fell for 40, and Upminster had a mini collapse of their own as they fell to 116-5, with Sam Hodgson claiming all five wickets for the home side.  Upminster need not have worried though as Gus Philpot and Tom Daniels eased their side to a five wicket win.  We must thank Old Southendians for hosting the game (originally due to be played at Upminster Park), due to the ongoing pavilion redevelopment at Upminster Park.  Upminster will travel to Premier Division Brentwood in the second round next Saturday.

The 2nd XI friendly between the same two clubs was played at Coopers School, and Upminster eventually came out on top.  John Curtis, 2024 batter of the year, made 33 for Upminster, but they looked in a spot of bother as they fell to 79-5.  Terry Wyatt and Ollie Clarke then led the recovery as they put on 55 for the sixth wicket and after Clarke fell for 19 Wyatt was joined by Sam Twine.  Wyatt eventually fell for 63 but Twine looked in fine form, hitting two maximums in an unbeaten 53 from just 50 balls as Upminster closed on 228-8 from their 40 overs.  The Tolan's, Jordan and son Fin, picked up early wickets for Upminster after Mark D'Cruz was forced out of the attack through injury, but Harry Clarke stood firm for the visitors to keep them in the game.  Tolan Snr picked up three scalps as he worked his way through the middle order, while skipper Ollie Peck picked up a brace of wickets.  Joseph Brooks removed Clarke for an excellent 72 and Lewis Munn claimed the final wicket as Southendians were bowled out for 152.

There was a defeat for the 5th XI in their friendly encounter at Chignal.  Captain Aalok Latey ensured all of his side got some overs in their legs, with Dylan Narbheram being the pick of the attack, claiming 3-27.  Chetan Kushalappa made an unbeaten 56 for Chignal as they reached 220-8 from their 40 overs.  Matthew Ingleson made 48 at the top of the Upminster order, and Narbheram completed a good all round day with 16, but it wasn't enough as Upminster were bowled out for 115.

The Women's 1st XI put in a determined performance at Hutton in Division One of the Essex Women's Premier League on Sunday, before eventually losing by five wickets.  Paige Roche, Harri Goodey and Lois Gable helped Upminster to 67-1 but they soon found themselves 88-7 as Elena Dale picked up three wickets.  However, Flick Russell showed huge maturity and determination in the middle order to get Upminster back in the game.  Russell made 48 and with Keya Shah making 23, Upminster were able to post a competitive total of 167.  Upminster battled well in the field with Roche claiming two victims and Maisie Briggs picking up her maiden 1st XI wicket, but Erica Hobson made an excellent 88 not out as Hutton won by five wickets.

The Women's 2nd XI game with Harold Wood was conceded by the opposition, meaning Upminster took the 20 points.  

There was a victory on Sunday for the U11 Girls as they overcame Hutton at Coopers by 12 runs in a thrilling game.