For much of the season our Senior Saturday sides were up against it, as was expected against improved opposition, but the fact that all our Saturday League sides maintained their status, and in one case improved it, for 2010, was a very positive sign for the Club’s short and long term future.

The highlight for the 1st XI was a first ever performance in the League Cup final. In that final we faced Wanstead in what turned out to be a thrilling contest. In pursuit of Wanstead’s total all looked lost for Upminster for most of the chase, but a last wicket stand between skipper Ollie Peck and Nick O’Dell left Upminster needing 13 from the last over for victory. Unfortunately the last wicket fell from the first ball of that over to hand Wanstead the cup.

The rest of the season was a battle for the 1st XI in a very tight League. Highlights were two wins over local friends Gidea Park, an exciting run chase in the home victory against Colchester, and two thrilling games with South Woodford, one resulting in a draw, and the other in an astonishing victory. Alan Ison led the way with the bat, scoring 3 league tons and 694 league runs in total, while with the ball Ison, Naeem Iqbal, Shaffiq Rahman and skipper Peck did a solid job with the ball as the side eventually finished in 7th place in the table. In the other cup competitions there was not a great deal of success, although we did reach the last eight of the Essex 20/20 before losing at South Woodford in the evening gloom.

After 6 years in the “job” Ollie Peck decided at the end of the 2008 season to stand down from the captaincy of the 1st XI. Ollie has done an amazing job in taking the side from the middle of Division 2 to being an established force in the Premier Division, and everyone at the Club is hugely appreciative of his efforts. Mike Rath will take on the captaincy for 2010 and look to push the side forward even further.

The 2nd XI needed 7 points on the last day of the season to ensure their Premier Division survival and got these without any problems. The season was tough in many ways, but the many young players in the side will have learnt a lot from it, not least young skipper Nicky Ison. Mike Harrison scored some valuable runs with the bat, and Andrew Berry and James Aggio-Brewe did well with ball. The side will look to continue their progress in 2010 under new skipper and club stalwart Daniel Tyler.

Chris Cully’s 3rd XI found themselves in the unusual position of struggling near the foot of the Premier Division table for much of the season, but a late surge of good form left them in 6th position. Rob Mack and the skipper himself shone with the bat and Chris Ryan and Rob White led the way with the ball.

The sole promotion of the season belonged to Will Sissen’s 4th XI. A nervous last day victory over Southend, coupled with Billericay’s victory at Benfleet ensured Sissen’s side continued their rise. With the bat Paul Bussey and Jamie O’Dell score heavily, while the captain and his old friend Kevin Roome did the damage with the ball. There was also the emergence of the all round talents of 16 year old Vikesh Patel and 12 year old Jordan Tigg, as well as promising efforts from a host of other youngsters.

The 5th XI found the going tough in their new surroundings of the 4th XI Premier Division, but once they had adjusted they put in some good performances and finished nicely in mid-table. Pete Williams did an exceptional job with the ball, although the skipper, Karim Govani, did take 8 wickets in the victory over Ardleigh Green. Several youngsters also put in some promising displays through the season.

It was also a mid-table finish for Paul Scott’s 6th XI, although for much of the season they were challenging at the top of the table. Neil Sutton, Phil Hammond and Brad Khan all had good years with the bat, while the captain himself led the way with the ball. This side always contains a lot of our younger players finding their feet in senior cricket, and will continue to do so next season.

We also fielded a friendly Saturday 7th XI on a few occasions during the season, while on Sundays the 2nd XI finished mid table in the West Division of the Essex Sunday League, and the 3rd XI played a host of enjoyable games around the South East, showing some of our younger players the more social side to the game.

Our colts section continues to thrive under the leadership of Paul Bussey, and his team of enthusiastic coaches and helpers. We now have over 150 youngsters at the Club aged between seven and seventeen years old. Our team of coaches is ever growing and led by our Overseas Player Naeem Iqbal. Two of our sides again won their respective Havering Leagues, and a number of our players represented County and District sides. We also believe that while these players are improving their skills, they should also learn the right way to play the game in terms of sportsmanship and conduct, and we continue to work hard on this aspect of their development.

On top of our own colts section, we continued in 2009 with the Chance 2 Shine Scheme in local schools. Our coaches worked in seven local schools and provided over 240 hours of coaching on behalf of the Club. The benefits of this scheme are for both the schools and the Clubs, and we hope that by taking part in this we will help to find further Upminster players of the future, as well as developing the role of the Club and the game of cricket within the local community.

We were lucky to once again play a game with Essex County Cricket Club at Upminster Park in July, in aid of the Graham Gooch Essex Cricket Academy. We were blessed with amazing weather and the largest turnout we have had for one of these games, which shocked us somewhat………..sorry it took so long to serve the beers and the burgers!! This is another chance for the Club to enhance their reputation with the local community, and we thank Essex CCC for sending such a strong side for the game.

The MCC were also kind enough to play another fixture at Upminster in 2009 after the game in 2008 (to celebrate our 150th Anniversary) was abandoned due to rain. We would like to thank Barry Clayden and the rest of the very strong MCC side for coming along for the day, and helping to make the match a very special and enjoyable occasion.

Off the pitch the Club’s Committee continued to try and push the Club forward in 2009. Plans are being moved along to further increase our practice and net facilities at our main ground, and initial discussions are taking place to try and provide a further grass wicket ground in the area for our lower elevens. We also continue to work with local community groups to ensure that the Club can play a positive role in the local community.

Of course all Clubs such as ours are dependant on the volunteer services of many people, and at Upminster we are very lucky to have so many willing and able members who help to run things so smoothly. There are too many to name in something like this but to all those who have helped organise events, work on the ground, make the teas and run the bar, a big thank you. And also on behalf of all players at Upminster, a big thank you to those who scored and umpired games during 2009, whether from Upminster or from one of our opponents. Without you all, the game would not be possible

All that remains is to wish all clubs an enjoyable, and hopefully dry, 2010, and we look forward to welcoming our opponents to Upminster Cricket Club.