The last day of the season was a tale of near misses for the 1st and 2nd XIs, but that should not detract from what was the club’s best season at the highest level of the club for a number of years, and the fact so many young players (helped by a few old faces of course) played such a prominent role in the success bodes well for the coming years.

Pre-season preparations were again hampered by the weather, and so the 1st XI went into their League Cup tie at Old Southendians a little undercooked. On a grey day on the Essex coast Upminster, without returning overseas star JJ Smuts who was yet to arrive, were in early trouble, but runs from the evergreen Shafiq Rahman and the somewhat younger Nehal Butt helped their side to post a competitive total. Upminster’s young attack performed admirably in tough conditions, but when the rain arrived the home side were ahead on the DLS calculations and progressed to the next round.

The continuing bad weather meant no pre-league games at all for the 2nd XI, and the 1st XI friendly following the cup defeat also didn’t take place, meaning both teams went into their first league games without much game time in their legs. For the 1st XI this didn’t seem to cause any issues as Max Carter-Miller’s four wickets helped bowl out Epping for 123, before Upminster’s batters made light work of the chase. The same could not be said of the 2nd XI, who despite runs from youngsters Gus Siggins and Rob Healy fell to a two wicket loss in the local derby at Harold Wood.

The following weekend was the most disappointing of the season for the 1st XI, as they recorded two heavy losses. At Billericay on the Saturday, they suffered what was to be there only league loss of the season, and one which would be crucial, as Billericay cruised to a ten wicket win. Aaron Beard and Nehal Butt were in the runs for Upminster, but their total of 163 was put into perspective by an unbeaten 95 from the home side’s Grant Roelofsen. Things didn’t get any better the next day as Ealing sent Upminster tumbling out of the Conference Cup despite a fine all-round performance from Butt. The 2nd XI picked up their first win of the season with a 44 run success over Shenfield. It was a real team performance from the home side, with the top six batters all making double figures and five of the six bowlers used picking up wickets.

May concluded with wins for both the 1s and 2s, although the two victories came about in very different circumstances. Captain Pulkit Gupta made an unbeaten half century as the 1st XI cruised past bottom of the table Belhus at Upminster Park, but the 2nd XI had to work hard for their success at Epping. Mark Schofield and Jordan Tolan helped dismiss Epping for 166 and Upminster appeared to be cruising at 52-0, before a middle order collapse left them needing veterans Terry Wyatt and John Curtis to help them to a tense two wicket win.

The chaotic nature of the league fixture list for 2024 made it hard to judge who the leading contenders were in each division, but the 1st XI’s form at the start of June made them standout as genuine contenders for promotion. At Orsett, on the first day of the month, their three spinners (JJ Smuts, Shafiq Rahman and Jeevan Singh) put them in a commanding position before Terry Wyatt kept his nerve to see Upminster home by five wickets, and a week later Singh was in the runs as his half century helped them see off Harold Wood, with Rahman claiming four wickets in this one. Unfortunately, the following week Upminster lost ground on the two leaders, Billericay and Fives and Heronians, when an issue with the covers at Harold Wood meant no play at all was possible, but they kept up the momentum the following Saturday when a fine half century from Mo Ahmad saw them pick up 20 points at Belhus. The 2nd XI were also in excellent form in early June. Gus Siggins was the undoubted star of the show as Chelmsford were beaten in a tight contest at Upminster Park, the youngster making an unbeaten half century (Aki Rahman also made 71) before claiming 6-42 to wrap up the victory. A week later and Ollie Peck showed his all-round credentials in a three wicket derby win at Harrow Lodge Park, but the middle of June saw the 2s juggernaut somewhat halted. Harry Jenkins made a brilliant 126 not out against Chingford at Upminster Park, but the visitors comfortably batted out for the draw, before a week later Upminster again batted first and piled up a big score (271-9) but it was not enough as Epping stormed to a seven wicket win in just 35 overs. That game was to become famous (or maybe infamous) for the innings of John Curtis. The long-serving seam bowler enjoyed a brilliant season with the bat in 2024 and looked set to make a maiden century for the club that afternoon, only to be run out for 99 from the very last ball of the innings!!

June ended with wins for both the 1s and 2s. The 1s saw off Orsett and Thurrock at Upminster Park thanks to four wickets from Nehal Butt and a brilliant throwback innings of 76 not out from Terry Wyatt. The 2s had a tighter contest against Chelmsford at Chelmer Park. Ollie Peck claimed 5-63, including the prized scalp of Andre Nel. However, Upminster looked in trouble when the ninth wicket of their reply fell with 57 still needed for victory. No problem for Peck, who smashed 56 not out, and in partnership with Joshan Narbheram saw Upminster to a famous one wicket victory. It meant both the 1st and 2nd XIs finished the month in third place in their respective tables.

The rain returned at the start of July meaning the 1st XI game with Gidea Park and Romford and the 2nd XI derby with Harold Wood were both abandoned without a ball being bowled. The 1st XI drew their next game at Epping where Bangladeshi international Imrul Kayes made 118 for the home side and Upminster had to settle for a draw. There was worse news for the 2nd XI back at Upminster Park where Billericay picked up a surprise victory. Andrew Berry and Joshan Narbheram were in the wickets for Upminster, but a poor effort with the bat saw Billericay win by 49 runs. Both teams bounced back a week later with comfortable wins. JJ Smuts made a brilliant 148 not out for the 1st XI, while Jeevan Singh made 61 as Upminster piled up the runs against Springfield, before Smuts then claimed 4-32 to bowl his side to an 85 run win. The “old boys” were in the wickets for the 2s, with John Curtis, Andrew Berry and Ollie Peck claiming three wickets apiece, before the youngsters, Tom Daniels and Gus Siggins, did the job with the bat to see off Shenfield. The 1st team finished July with a brilliant performance, but frustrating finish against second placed Billericay. Runs for Smuts, Singh, Callum Berry and captain Pulkit Gupta saw Upminster pile up a massive 321-6 (with an early declaration) at Upminster Park, before the visitors grimly held on for a draw at 218-9. The 2nd XI also finished the month strongly with a six wicket win at Ilford, where James Evans top scored. It all meant the 1st XI ended the month still in third place in the table, while the 2nd XI moved into second spot and closed the gap on leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook.

With six weeks to go, both sides still had everything to play for, and JJ Smuts helped the 1s stay in the promotion race with another brilliant all-round effort at Ilford. Smuts claimed three wickets in the Ilford innings before making a brilliant unbeaten 101 in the Upminster reply, and with support from the calm head of Shafiq Rahman, Upminster won by four wickets. The 2nd XI Premier Division title showdown between Upminster and Wanstead and Snaresbrook was a tight affair, as expected. A consistent batting performance from Upminster saw them make 255-6, before Ollie Peck and Andrew Berry claimed three wickets each, as Wanstead played out for the draw at 201-7. The 1st XI travelled to leaders Fives and Heronians on the 10th August, with the Chigwell based frontrunners not having lost a game all season at that stage. JJ Smuts and Jeevan Singh put Upminster on top early on with fine spells of bowling, but Joe Craddock hit back for Fives to help them post 238. Singh then made a brilliant 60 from just 30 balls in the Upminster reply, and with Callum Berry, Mo Ahmad and James Evans also in the runs, Upminster cruised to a five wicket win as Fives suffered their first defeat of the campaign. It was also a big day for the 2nd XI, who took over at the top of the table after their derby success against Hornchurch. Ollie Peck, Andrew Berry and Gus Siggins were in the wickets once more before 61 from the Lesser Spotted Oliver White saw Upminster to a four wicket win. With defeats elsewhere for Wanstead and Harold Wood, Upminster took over at the top of the table with four games to play.

A return to the limited overs format did not hinder either the 1st or 2nd XIs as both continued their good form with wins on the 17th August. JJ Smuts continued his remarkable run of form at Upminster Park, smashing a brilliant 159 from just 104 balls as Upminster made 261. Some may have felt that total was a little under par at halfway, but three wickets each for Smuts and Nehal Butt saw Upminster to a 113 run win and maintained their pressure on the top two. The 2nd XI avenged their defeat to Billericay earlier in the season with a crushing win at Blunts Wall Road. Harry Jenkins, John Curtis and Gus Siggins all made half centuries as Upminster smashed 336-8 from 45 overs before Ollie Peck claimed 5-42 as Upminster won by 98 runs. Rain washed out all but a few games across the whole of Essex and East London on the Bank Holiday weekend, so the 1st XI travelled to Springfield on the last day of August knowing they had to win to realistically remain in the promotion race. With JJ Smuts having returned to South Africa, Max Carter Miller stepped up as he took 4-33 to help bowl out Springfield for 193. That looked like it may be a tricky chase for Upminster, but Mo Ahmad made 57 and with Harry Jenkins and Pulkit Gupta also in the runs, Upminster won by six wickets. Back at Upminster Park, the 2nd XI knew two wins would see them crowned Premier Division champions for the first time, as they hosted Ilford. Andrew Berry continued his excellent season with 3-29 before Gus Siggins helped Upminster to a five wicket win.

The final day of the season saw the 1st XI host Ilford, with Pulkit Gupta’s side knowing they needed to win and hope Billericay slipped up against Gidea Park and Romford. Upminster kept their end of the bargain, winning their game in less than 48 overs!! Gupta and Shafiq Rahman spun out Ilford for just 126 and then Gupta and Mo Ahmad smashed unbeaten half centuries as Upminster won by ten wickets in just 13 overs. Unfortunately, at about the same time Billericay were completing a simple victory over Gidea Park meaning Upminster would end the season in third place. The equation for the 2nd XI was simple, as they travelled to second place Wanstead and Snaresbrook who were just two points behind them at the top of the table. Whoever won the game would win the title (a rain off or tie would see Upminster top the table). Tom Daniels and Terry Wyatt both made good contributions, but Upminster fell to 148-9 before 27 not out from John Curtis helped Upminster to post 171. In a tense run-chase Wanstead fell to 26-3 and 124-6, but Jack Lord and Hamza Shoaib kept their nerve to see Wanstead to a three wicket win and with it claim the title, meaning Upminster were runners-up for the second time in three years.

While the last day of the season was obviously disappointing, it should not detract from what was the best season the club has enjoyed at the top end of the club for a number of years. The 1st XI’s points haul of 281 would have seen them finish in the top of most other divisions in the majority of seasons, and to only lose one league game all season and not go up was particularly tough to take. However, huge strides were made by both sides, and the number of youngsters playing in both teams gives great hope for the coming seasons. Five 1st XI regulars were under the age of 20, with two more younger than 25 while it was a similar situation in the 2nd XI, with five regulars being under the age of 20 and a number of other young players having made appearances in the side during the season.

1st XI Leading Run Scorers (league games only):
JJ Smuts – 717
Pulkit Gupta – 403
Mo Ahmad – 400
Jeevan Singh – 285
Callum Berry – 188

1st XI Leading Wicket Takers (league games only):
JJ Smuts – 28
Shafiq Rahman – 25
Jamie Green – 19
Jeevan Singh – 17
Max Carter Miller – 14
Nehal Butt – 14

2nd XI Leading Run Scorers (league games only):
John Curtis – 447
Harry Jenkins – 391
Gus Siggins – 378
Tom Daniels – 347
Ollie Peck – 276

2nd XI Leading Wicket Takers (league games only):
Ollie Peck – 38
Andrew Berry – 19
John Curtis – 19
Gus Siggins – 17
Joshan Narbheram – 9