A day that started with a huge amount of hope and optimism ended in disappointment as things went against all of the club's sides who had something to play for.  However, Saturday's results should not detract from what has been a brilliant season at all levels (and there is still a lot to play for over the coming days).

The 1st XI can count themselves hugely unlucky not to have been promoted, finishing the season with just one loss to their name after comfortably beating Ilford at Upminster Park.  Shafiq Rahman opened the bowling for the home side, and continued his brilliant season with three wickets as Upminster took control.  Prahathen Jayarooban held the Ilford innings together with a composed 50, but he then became one of four victims of home captain Pulkit Gupta who's occasional twirlers may see more action next season after this performance.  Jeevan Singh also picked up two late wickets as Ilford were dismissed for just 126.  Gupta and Mo Ahmad wasted no time in going after the target as they found the boundary regularly in the opening overs to take their side to the brink of victory.  Gupta soon brought up his half century and ended on 68 not out while Ahmad reached his fifty just before the end, finishing on 52 not out as Upminster reached their target in just 13 overs.  Unfortunately, at almost exactly the same time, second placed Billericay were completing their own victory over Gidea Park and Romford, meaning they took the second promotion spot behind Fives and Heronians.  It all meant Gupta's side, who regularly used five players aged 18 or under, ended in third place, with just one loss and a remarkable 282 points.

At Overton Drive the equation had been clear for both leaders Upminster and second placed Wanstead and Snaresbrook. Whoever won the game would win the title.  Upminster were asked to bat by the home side, and soon found themselves in big trouble as they fell to 47-4 with Jack Lord, a man with a history of performing on the big occasions, picking up all four wickets.  Terry Wyatt, another man with huge experience on big occasions, joined Tom Daniels and they gradually began to get Upminster back in the game, putting together a stand of 76.  Unfortunately both batters then fell in consecutive overs as Upminster slumped from 123-4 to 148-9 as Wanstead took control.  John Curtis, who has enjoyed a remarkable season with the bat, didn't give up the fight though, and he and fellow veteran Andrew Berry put on 23 for the final wicket, to lift the score to 171 and give Upminster something to bowl at.  Berry, and skipper Ollie Peck, then got Upminster off to the perfect start with the ball, reducing Wanstead to 26-3 before Tom Cummins and Zoraiz Saeed countered for the home side with a stand of 57,  Peck then removed Saeed and Gus Siggins ran out Cummins to bring Upminster back into the game, and a wicket apiece from Siggins and Curtis left the game, and the title race, evenly poised at 143-7.  Lord and Hamza Shoaib kept their nerve for the home side, and ticked off the runs slowly but surely and Wanstead were able to reach their target, and claim the title, with three wickets and four overs to spare.  While it was a huge disappointment for Upminster they can look back on a great season, with experienced campaigners such as Peck, Curtis and Berry helping to guide the likes of Siggins, Ross Taylor and Zoran Suneel who will go on to enjoy excellent careers at the club.

The equation for the 3rd XI at the start of the day was a little more complicated, but they knew they had to win their game at Harold Wood to stand any chance of claiming the title. Upminster asked Wood to bat first on a green looking track at Harold Wood Park, and Charith Disanayaka and Luke Hammett put on 92 for the first wicket at a good pace, but Fenton Everingham and Tom Young sent back both batters in quick succession as Upminster fought back.  Young once again bowled well to pick up 2-44, but Wood's middle order showed their quality and contributions from Erantha Muthuk, Samantha Pieris and Raheel Mirza helped Wood to set Upminster a challenging target of 277 to stay in the title hunt.  Upminster's reply never really got going, but youngsters Rob Healy and Ethan Berry combined in the middle order to keep them in the game.  Healy made an excellent half century as Upminster tried to stay in the game, and Everingham and Ollie Burley added some late runs, but Dan Simpson's side were bowled out for 181.  Morning leaders West Essex slipped up against Harlow while Brentwood picked up a win to give themselves a chance of claiming the title.  However, Wood's win drew them level on points with Brentwood and they claimed top spot by virtue of having won more games (10 for Harold Wood, 9 for Brentwood).  Upminster finished in fourth place after a brilliant second half of the season.

The only other league win of the day came from the 4th XI, as they put in an impressive performance to confirm a top half finish in 3rd XI Division One.  Aedan Daly and Ben Hamberger picked up an early wicket each for Ian Munn's side at Coopers, but it was the spin duo of Nathan Brown and Joseph Brooks who really did the damage as they ran through the Orsett and Thurrock middle order.  Brown claimed 4-42 and Brooks picked up 2-13 as Upminster took control.  Douglas made 34 for Orsett but Fin Tolan picked up the last wicket as the visitors were all out for 136.  Matt Ingleson fell early for Upminster, but Matt Mccarthy and Stan Moore then put Upminster on top.  They put together a partnership of 80 before Moore fell for 39 but Mccarthy remained and soon brought up his half century.  Mccarthy eventually fell for 52 but Brooks made 19 before Tolan and Daly saw their side to a six wicket win.  The win meant Munn's team finished the season in a brilliant fifth place and were once again the highest finishing 4th XI in the league (by some distance).

There was a final day defeat for the 5th XI as they lost to Chingford 4s at the picturesque Broxhill Road.  Chingford won the toss and decided to bat first, but were soon in trouble as Avanish Ajmani, MIchael Jones and Dylan Mansell all picked up wickets.  Bernard Storm, surprisingly dropped after top scoring for the 3s last week, held the Chingford innings together with an excellent 72, but Thomas Cargill then put Upminster in charge with a brilliant spell of 4-34 which meant the visitors were bowled out for 157.  Captain Stewart Hammond, MIchael Pedrick and Ollie Ward helped to put Upminster into a good position at 85-2 but after that things did not work out as planned.  Upminster's inexperienced middle order struggled against a strong Chingford attack and the home side were bowled out for 129 to lose by 28 runs.  It all meant Upminster finished in 7th place in the table but were once again the highest placed 5th XI in the league.

The 6th XI also closed the season with a defeat as they lost to Billericay 5s. Chris Brabin rounded off his season with four wickets but Billericay batted well to reach a very challenging total of 263.  In reply Ed Knight made 58 but Upminster were all out for 198.  Upminster ended the season in 8th position.  

There was also a win for the Friendly XI, at Gidea Park and Romford 5s.  A thoroughly enjoyable game saw Upminster run out winners by 150 runs.  Many thanks to our good friends at Gidea Park for hosting.