The 1st XI missed out on an immediate return to the Premier Division, finishing in third place in Division One. While the team played well for much of the season they could not string together enough wins to stay in touch with Shenfield and Buckhurst Hill who deservedly filled the promotion places. New Zealander Jimmy Neesham was a hit with bat and ball, leading the statistics on both fronts, while Alan Ison once again shone with the bat, and they were well supported by Shaffiq Rahman. With the ball, captain Ollie Peck gave good support to Neesham, while Ison and James Aggio Brewe also performed well.

In the cup competitions it was a case of so near, and yet so far. In the League Cup a thrilling win over Colchester was one of the highlights as the Club reached the Final for the second time in three years. But despite an exciting final, Shenfield proved just to strong and picked up the Cup. In the Dukes Essex T20 the team reached the Quarter Finals before losing a high scoring encounter with Orsett.

Daniel Tyler’s 2nd XI recorded a highest ever Premier Division finish of 6th and for much of the season the side looked like they may challenge for the title. The team was an excellent combination of young and old (or experienced!!) with stalwarts Rob Mack, Andrew Berry and Paul Bussey being well supported by youngsters James Evans, Adam Quested and Matt Tigg. Evans was the pick of the batsman while Berry shone once again with the ball and Fraser Larke proved himself a more than useful all rounder.

The 3rd XI had a solid season and ended in 5th place. They are now the longest continuous serving team in the 3rd XIs top flight!! Rob White led the side well, but the team lacked consistency with the bat, the exception being 13 year old Frankie Hazel who came into the side and showed his older team mates how it should be done. With the ball the skipper performed well as always, and he had excellent support from Sam Green and Scott Fisher, before the later moved up to the 2nd XI.

It was a fourth promotion in six seasons for Stewart Hammond’s 4th XI as they topped the 3rd XI Division Two table. The captain led from the front with the bat and there were also consistent contributions from Steve Limn. With the ball the veteran pairing of Kevin Roome and Russ Savidge bowled superbly throughout, setting an excellent example to the many youngsters in the side. Of those youngsters Sam Crotch and Frankie Adams were regulars all season, and both made good contributions, while the likes of Jono Murphy, Casey Adams, Alex Ward and Alex Mitchell all showed the amount of young talent that is coming through at the Club.

The 5th XI made it a promotion double as they made a late season surge to claim second spot in Fourth Eleven Division One. Rob Tuffee starred with the willow when in the side while youngsters Calum Jack, Sam O’Dowd and Alex T Ward showed excellent batting potential for the future with some fine contributions. With the ball Billy Wright’s 33 wickets earned him the Club’s Colin Hart Bowler of the Year Award. Billy’s 7-26 also secured an amazing win over Fives and Heronians after a young Upminster side had been bowled out for 90. Under 13s Matt Ashby and Ollie Heazle ,were amongst the bowlers to support Wright during the season.

The 6th XI had a solid season under the continued leadership of club stalwart Paul Scott. Mike Larke was an excellent addition to the side both for his runs and wicket keeping skills, and also for the experience he was able to pass on to the younger members of the side. As always, the team included a host of young players making their first appearances in senior league cricket, and the captain continues to do an excellent job in teaching these lads the right way to play the game.

Glen Ashby took on the role of 7th XI captain and the side played eleven friendly fixtures during the season, winning 8 of these games. With the number of colts we now have wanting to play senior cricket, this side is taking on increasing importance as we move forward.

On Sundays the 2nd XI once again competed in the East Division of the Essex Sunday League, and despite a tough start to the season for Adam Quested’s men, they eventually finished in mid table. The side also played a number of friendlies when not on League duty and the Sunday 3rd XI did likewise, with youngster Alex Bottoms doing an excellent job as captain of the side.

The colts section continues to thrive under the stewardship of Paul Bussey and his ever expanding team of coaches and helpers. This year’s star side were undoubtedly Craig Chuter’s Under 13 side. They picked up three trophies in 2012 (the David Bradford Trophy, the Len Stentiford Cup and the Havering League) and came within a whisker of reaching the National Finals Day before losing narrowly to High Wycombe. The side were brilliantly led by captain Frankie Hazel and all of the boys performances and behaviour on and off the pitch were a credit to the Club. Many of the team are already playing senior cricket and we hope they will continue to improve and play a part in the Club’s long term development.

The other colts sides also performed well through the season, although some bad luck prevented the Matchplay side mounting a serious challenge. The colts section now coaches over 150 boys and girls and is one of the Club’s greatest assets. Coaches Nicky Ison and Martin Davies also showed the strides we have made with girls cricket over the last two years by entering our Under 15 girls side into a league for the first time. The Under 11s girls side also played a number of friendly fixtures.

We were lucky to once again host a Benefit Match against the County side in September, this year in aid of James Foster’s Benefit Year. James has been an excellent servant to Essex Cricket over the past decade, and a great supporter of our Benefit Matches in that time, and we were honoured to host this match. Despite the forecasts the rain held off and an excellent day was had by everyone. The game shows what the Club is capable of when everyone works together and pulls in the same direction.

The Club also took part in the excellent Chance 2 Shine State Schools coaching scheme once again, and coaches Nicky Ison and Martin Davis provided nearly 200 hours of coaching in local schools.

Of course, the club is indebted to many for their voluntary work, which makes it possible for the Club to continue to progress. Chairman Gwynne Mack and House and Grounds Chairman John Sutton once again put in an amazing amount of work to make the wicket one of the best in the League, backed up by the League’s statistics in this area. Both men have done this for a number of years, and all members are grateful for the excellent job they do. John was rewarded for this by deservedly winning the Keith Martin Club Person of the Year Award at the end of the season.

We should also take this opportunity to thank all other volunteers who score, umpire, make the teas, help get the grounds ready, help with transport, or assist in any other way which makes cricket at Upminster take place every summer. Without the efforts of these people the Club would not be what it is.

We must also thank our sponsors, the Alishan Tandoori, B F Mulley & Son Funeral Directors, Saxton 4x4.com and Apollo 2000 (First Class Car Body Repairers) for their financial support in 2011.

Everyone at the Club would like to wish all SNEL Clubs an enjoyable 2012, and we look forward to welcoming you to Upminster Park or one of our out-grounds.