After plenty of promotions and pennants over the last few seasons, 2010 was a reality check for everyone involved with Upminster Cricket Club. While the last day of the season in recent times has seen much to celebrate, this season it was more a time to take stock and reflect after relegation for two of our senior sides, including the 1st XI.

For much of the season the 1st team were up against it in the Premier Division. Despite an exciting early season victory over Ilford, the halfway stage was reached with just one win on the board. An improved spell in July and early August saw wins recorded against Chelmsford and fellow strugglers Gidea Park, as well as battling draws against Ilford, Colchester and Wanstead. These results, coupled with a fine win over Woodford Wells on the penultimate weekend of the campaign, meant a win at champions Brentwood on the last day of the season would keep the side in the Premier Division. However, the target of 314 to win was just to much, despite an amazing knock of 144 from Alan Ison, and with Ilford defeating Colchester the side were relegated after three seasons in the top flight.

Alan Ison was the star of the show with the bat, scoring 952 runs at 56, and he was well supported by Akbar Jabhar, Shaffiq Rahman and Andrew D’Cruz. With the ball Naeem Iqbal took 32 wickets, but never really hit the heights of previous seasons, while Ollie Peck, Ison and Rahman also shone. The side will be determined to make a swift return to the top flight next season.

The 2nd XI were one of the bright spots of the season as they recorded a highest ever finish of 6th place in the Premier Division. Dan Tyler led a side which included old hands such as Paul Bussey, Andrew Berry and Rob Mack as well as youngsters James Aggio-Brewe, Matt Tigg and Harry Jenkins. James Evans also joined from Gidea Park at the start of the season and enjoyed an excellent season with the bat. The blend of old and young worked well and with a little better availability, they may have finished even higher.

Chris Cully’s 3rd XI overcame some below par early season results to record a solid 5th place finish. It was the side’s 6th top half finish since they joined the division in 2002. Once again a number of youngsters also came into the side and showed much promise, especially Billy Bilton, Goopal Sagoo and Nickhil Mayor. Scott Hammond starred with the bat and Chris Ryan and Rob White once again did well with the ball, although Chris has sadly decided to hang up his boots for the 2011 season.

The 4th XI came within in a whisker of gaining their 4th promotion in 5 seasons, but in the end had to settle for an excellent 3rd place in the 3rd XI Division Two table. Youngster Alex Ward scored his maiden senior century and did well all season with the bat and the gloves, and other youngsters Alex Mitchell, Jordan Tigg and Jono Murphy all performed well. They were supported by experienced campaigners Kevin Roome, Stewart Hammond and skipper Will Sissen, and the team will be looking to go one better in 2011.

After many successful year’s the 5th XI were unfortunately relegated from the 4th XI Premier Division. Poor availability for much of the season left captain Karim Govani with an unsettled side and despite a late upturn in fortunes, defeat against champions Ardleigh Green on the last day of the season meant relegation back to Division 1. As with all of our lower sides a number of younger players were given a chance to impress, and many took their chance, especially U13 all-rounder Frankie Hazel who did well when in the side.

Paul Scott’s 6th XI had an up and down season but maintained their divisional status with an 8th placed finish. Paul has done an excellent job for many years in giving a number of young players their first taste of senior league cricket and 2010 was no different. The pick of the youngsters in 2010 were U13 seam bowlers Sam Green and Sam Crotch who both had excellent seasons.

The club also fielded a 7th XI for much of the 2010 season. The side played friendly games against various clubs and was led by Paul Middlemiss and Will Murphy. Results were good with more than half of the games played resulting in victories and Fixture Secretary Kevin Roome did an excellent job in arranging games at some lovely grounds. The side was a real mix of old and young, with U13 bowled Matt Ashby showing much promise for the future.

In the cup competitions there was some success in the T20 competition as the 1st XI reached the finals day thanks to wins over Hutton, Colchester, Shenfield and Brentwood. However, a poor display in the semi final against Buckhurst Hill meant an early afternoon exit. There was no repeat of 2009 in the League Cup as the side fell at the first hurdle.

The Sunday 2nd XI again competed in the Essex Sunday League and Scott Hammond led the team to an excellent 4th place finish, with a young side. The Sunday 3rd XI were led by Paul Stratton and played regular games against other friendly sides in the Essex area.

If the season was a little disappointing for the senior sides, it was a huge success for the colts teams. Although the Matchplay side struggled a little the U15s did very well to reach the last four of the Cox and Kings Cup before falling to National Champions Wanstead. The U13s also had an excellent season and went all the way to the semi finals of the Peter Coe Cup before losing to Woodford Wells. The side also won all of their games in the Havering League to take the title. There was also success for our younger colts sides and a number of players at all ages represented the county and/or the District during the season. A huge number of colts also played senior cricket during the season and did excellently for the sides they played for, with some of our U13 side playing as high as the 2nd XI by the end of the season. So despite the slightly disappointing senior results in 2010 everyone at the Club is still very optimisic about the future. We must say a huge thank you to all of the parents, managers and coaches who put so much into the colts section to help make it a success.

The Club were once again fortunate to host a Benefit Match against the County side in 2010, this time in aid of the Graham Gooch Essex Cricket Academy. Despite the gloomy forecast, the weather was kind to us as always and an excellent day was had by all. We must say a huge thank you to James Foster and John Childs of Essex CCC who sent along a full strength side, just hours after their semi final defeat to Somerset. We must also thank all of the Match sponsors who help to make this game possible. We hope to host a similar game in 2011. The Club also held a Cricket Week for the first time and a variety of games were played over 5 days. Many thanks to all those who played during this week, and also to everyone who scored, umpired or assisted with catering.

Off the pitch the Club continues to try and move forward in many ways. Plans are afoot for an extension to our net facilities and also to provide an extra grass wicket in the local area. We also continue to take part in the Chance 2 Shine coaching scheme which provides cricket coaching in local schools and the Club is always trying to play an active role in the local community.

Of course, a Club of our size would not be able to function without the voluntary efforts of many people off the pitch, and we are lucky to have so many people who contribute towards the running of the Club. We must also thank all those who help on matchdays such as umpires, scorers and tea ladies. Without you all games would not be able to take place.

Hopefully 2011 will be sunny and successful and we look forward to welcoming all other clubs to Upminster.