The 2026 season has flown by, and there are now just three weeks of the senior season remaining. A number of our senior sides still have a lot to play for, and here we take a look at what is at stake over the coming weeks:

1st XI:
Division: HFEL, 1st XI Division One
Current Position: 1st
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 4th
Remaining Games: Woodford Wells (A), Old Southendians (H), Aztecs (A)

With a 27 point gap to second and third the 1st XI are in pole position for promotion, and they could go up, or even be crowned champions, as early as this Saturday (23rd Aug) if they win and other results go there way. The more likely scenario is that things go to the final two weeks of the season, and with tough games on the horizon nobody will be taking anything for granted just yet.

2nd XI:
Division: HFEL, 2nd XI Premier Division
Current Position: 5th
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 9th
Remaining Games: Hutton (H), Ilford (A), Woodford Wells (H)

Having been looking over their shoulders for much of the season the side now have a good chance of a top two finish and could even muscle in on the title race, although that would seem unlikely. A 50 point gap to the drop-zone means the team are essentially safe and a win this Saturday against Hutton (who are currently third) would increase the chances of a pennant ending the season at Upminster Park.

3rd XI:
Division: HFEL, 3rd XI Premier Division
Current Position: 3rd
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 7th
Remaining Games: Wanstead & Snaresbrook (H), Chelmsford (H), Harold Wood (A)

Two defeats in the last two weeks have dealt a huge blow to the 3rd XI’s title chances, with the side dropping from first to third in the table. They are still only 18 points off top spot and they face leaders Wanstead & Snaresbrook this weekend. Win that, and the final two games against fourth place Chelmsford and second place Harold Wood will become very interesting.

4th XI:
Division: HFEL, 3rd XI Division Two
Current Position: 1st
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 3rd
Remaining Games: Old Southendians (A), Wickford (A), Benfleet (H)

With a 43 point gap to third place the 4th XI are all but guaranteed of promotion, but having led the table all season they will be looking to secure the title, not settle for second place. They have perfect opportunity to move a step nearer that goal this Saturday when they face second place Old Southendians, and they know a win will almost certainly secure top spot and will confirm their promotion with two weeks to spare.

5th XI:
Division: HFEL, 4th XI Premier Division East
Current Position: 4th
Highest Possible Position: 2nd
Lowest Possible Position: 7th
Remaining Games: Wickford (A), Leigh on Sea (H), Hornchurch Athletic (H)

Two defeats in their last two games ended any hopes of promotion with the most realistic aim for the side now a third place finish. Their fixtures for the remainder of the season don’t look too bad and so the team will hope to do enough to grab that top three spot.

6th XI:
Division: Mid Essex League, Division Nine
Current Position: 1st
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 3rd
Remaining Games: Hatfield Peverel (H), Basildon & Pitsea (A)

With just two games to go in the Mid Essex League, and a 52 point gap to third place, the 6s know a single point this Saturday will secure promotion. This week’s opponents Hatfield Peverel currently sit second in the table and so Upminster know a win would not only give them the point needed promotion but would also secure the title.

7th XI:
Division: Mid Essex League, Division Ten
Current Position: 6th
Highest Possible Position: 4th
Lowest Possible Position: 7th
Remaining Games: Rankins (A), Horndon on the Hill (H)

Some excellent results in recent weeks have moved the 7s well clear of the bottom two, but with restructures possible in the Mid Essex League the team will be looking to finish as high as possible. That could mathematically be as high as fourth place, but with two tough games to come captain Don Triggs would probably settle for their current position of sixth.

Women’s 1st XI:
Division: EWPL, Division One
Current Position: 3rd
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 4th
Remaining Games: Wanstead & Snaresbrook (A), Hutton (A)

Last week’s win over Billericay means there is still the mathematical chance of claiming the title, but with two games to go and leaders Hutton 38 points ahead the chances of finishing top are very slim. However, two wins in their final two games would most likely secure an excellent runners-up spot.

Women’s 2nd XI:
Division: EWPL, Division Two
Current Position: 6th
Highest Possible Position: 4th
Lowest Possible Position: 7th
Remaining Games: Kelvedon & Feering (H), Billericay (H)

A narrow defeat to bottom of the table Orsett & Thurrock last weekend means the side still need points to ensure they finish outside the bottom two. With two home fixtures to come they will be hopeful of not only securing the necessary points to confirm their survival but also of picking up some wins which could see them finish as high as fourth place.

Sunday League XI:
Division: Essex Sunday League
Current Position: 1st
Highest Possible Position: 1st
Lowest Possible Position: 4th
Remaining Games: Sharks Cricket Academy (A)

With teams having played a different number of matches it is always difficult to see exactly what’s what, but this Sunday’s concession by Bardoli means Upminster take over at the top of the table, for now. Upminster only have one game to play, against Sharks Academy, and they must win that and hope other results go there way if they are going to hold on to top-spot.