It was once again an amazing end to a brilliant season at Upminster Park yesterday. With the sun shining, more than 230 women, men and junior players took part in cricket activities throughout the day, showcasing everything that is great about the sport we all play and love, and everything that is great about Upminster Cricket Club. All of this was played out in front of a bumper Upminster Park crowd.

Of course, these events do not happen by accident and there are many many thank yous owed to those who helped make the day such a success.

Firstly, we must thank all of our hugely generous sponsors. These sponsors are listed at the bottom of this article and we would urge all of our members and anyone else who attended yesterday’s game to support them. Their support, not just yesterday but throughout the year, is invaluable in helping to keep the club moving forward. And thank you to our President, David Parish for generously hosting all of our sponsors and guests in the Pavilion during the day.

Secondly, to all of our partners who we worked with yesterday. Caterers, suppliers, Greene King the brewery, programme designers……………..the list is endless, but all of these people help us to make this event a great day each year.

To the 1st Upminster Scout Group who once again hosted the Tea Tent for the afternoon and who we have enjoyed working with at the last four benefit matches.

To Win D’Cruz, from the Judy D’Cruz Fund, a huge friend of the club, who joined us for the day to raise awareness of the amazing work the Fund has done and to report that they have now raised over £100k since setting up the charity.

There is no game without the players and so we must thank everyone who played during the day. Not just Aaron Beard and his Essex Team who we were privileged to host once again, but also Pulkit Gupta and his Upminster side and all the players who took part in the other events and matches earlier in the day.

There is also no game without umpires, so thanks are due to our umpires Lee Cullum and Jordan McManus and our scorers Sanjay Narbheram and Ollie Burley for keeping things running so smoothly. And thanks to our Grounds Executive Mark Severn. He produced another cracking wicket, as he does every week, to make sure we had an exciting contest to watch, full of runs and big hitting.

Thank you to the Upminster community who come out to support this event every year. This was the 23rd match we have hosted against the County, and yesterday’s crowd was amongst the biggest we have seen. Without this support the game wouldn’t be possible and wouldn’t be the occasion it is.

And of course, thank you to all of the Upminster Cricket Club members who worked together before, during and after yesterday’s match in so many different ways to make the day a success. There are way to many people to mention in one list, but they all know who they are and your efforts are hugely appreciated. They were all of course led by Elaine Brown who did an amazing job and co-ordinated everything to perfection!!!

Let us hope for more of the same in September 2024!!!

CLUB AND BENEFIT MATCH SPONSORS:
Hunter and Co. Ltd
Apple Financial Solutions
B.F. Mulley & Son
Burley Transport Limited
Elite Finishing
Excel Physiotherapy
Gates Parish & Co.
Govani Chemist
Kingpin Sports Design
Kushoom Bugh Tandoori Restaurant
Mullis & Peake LLP
P. J. Rugg Plumbing and Heating
Reality Group
Roomes Furniture & Interiors
R.P. Curtis & Son Builders
Tolan Construction
Upminster Carpets