Dan Simpson’s 3rd XI claimed the Premier Division title on Saturday afternoon as they cruised to victory at Woodford Wells to secure top spot. Simpson’s men have been in a two horse race with Harlow throughout the season, as they were for much of the 2022 campaign, and their late run of good form carried them to their third title in six seasons. On a beautiful late summer’s day at Woodord Wells, Upminster were in control from the moment Kevin Roome dismissed the dangerous Mark Webb for 37 to break an opening stand of 64. Wells skipper Will Rogers became Roome’s second victim when he was well caught by Gus Siggins at long on for 74 and when Sam Twine removed Harry Douris for 53 the home side’s innings stalled somewhat. Twine finished with 4-41 to take the bowling honours for the day, but it was a fine all round performance with the ball and in the field that restricted Wells to a total of 220-6. If there were any nerves in the Upminster ranks it didn’t show as Simpson and opening partner Steve Limn both found the boundary in the opening overs. Youngster George Carracher impressed with the ball for Wells on his 3rd XI debut, but Upminster’s opening pair took the score past 100 as they closed in on the title. Deepak Sinha removed Simpson (63) and Limn (60) in quick succession, but Gus Siggins and Rob Healy took up the mantle and kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid rate. Siggins struck four maximums and Healy two, including one huge effort which nearly reached the square on the 2nd XI pitch, as the champagne was readied on the sidelines (well, the Cava) and the big moment came when Siggins smashed a four through mid-wicket to secure an eight wicket win with more than 20 overs to spare.

The 3rd XI have once again been a model of consistency throughout the campaign, finding the right combination of old heads and new young exciting junior players who have come through the club’s colts system and will eventually move on to the 1st and 2nd XIs. The 2023 season was the sides 21st consecutive season in the 3rd XI Premier Division (a record for any division outside the 1st XI Premier Division), their third title in six seasons and their 16th top half finish during those 21 seasons. Congratulations to Dan Simpson and all of his side on a tremendous season, and we look forward to seeing the trophy back in the Upminster Park trophy cabinet (if the 2019 captain can find it)!!

The 1st and 2nd XIs both had early finishes as their seasons came to an end on Saturday. At Upminster Park it was Aaron Beard and Nehal Butt who did the damage with the ball as Old Brentwoods were bowled out for 84. Butt claimed 4-17 and Beard 3-25 as the Old Boys were skittled out, with no batter passing 20. Max Carter-Miller also claimed 2-22 as the visitors were all out for 84. Veteran John Curtis was moved up the order to open the batting and he and Pulkit Gupta had taken the score to 44 before Curtis fell. Gupta made 37 before becoming one of three victims of Khalid Sarwar, but James Evans and Shafiq Rahman calmly took Upminster to a six wicket win. The victory meant Adam Wheater’s side ended the season in sixth position, and rueing five abandoned games as well as a defeat at Old Brentwoods earlier in the season.

Things were less straightforward at Valentines Park, as Upminster’s 2nd XI beat Ilford in an extraordinary contest which was Nicky Ison’s last match as 2s captain. There was no sign of things to come as Tom Daniels, Craig Grote and Junaid Sarwar took the Upminster score to 39-1 but once those three departed the game moved forward at high-speed. Upminster were soon bowled out for 88 from just 18 overs with Farkhan Ul Haq taking 4-44 for Ilford. With the runners-up spot potentially still in their grasp, Ison’s men were not going down without a fight, and Billy Wright and the skipper ripped through the Ilford top order. Stu Connor held on to three grabs at short-leg as Ilford fell apart, and it was left to Jordan Tolan to wrap things up as the home side were bowled out for 64. Ison finished with 3-28 and Wright with 5-21, while results elsewhere meant Upminster finished in third place in the table. The 2nd XI were then able to join the 3rd XI at Woodford Wells to see their clubmates secure the title.

The 4th XI’s season ended in defeat to promotion chasing Chingford 3s at Coopers. Upminster won the toss and elected to field, and it went on to be a decision Ian Munn probably regretted as the Chingford batters made hay in the sunshine. Ching skipper Nihal Noori made 82 at the top of the order, while opening partner Usman Younas made a brilliant 142 not out from 135 balls as the Upminster bowlers toiled. Ali Butt then added a quickfire 36 not out as the visitors made 303-2 from 45 overs. Ant Limn was the pick of the Upminster attack with 1-47. Upminster’s top order struggled to get going, despite a number of batters getting starts, and at 79-6 an early finish looked likely. However, captain Munn (76), Nathan Brown (54*) and Ant Limn showed some fight towards the end of the innings, and while they fell well short of victory they closed on a respectable 234-9. Munn’s side finished in seventh place in the table, and were once again the highest finishing 4th XI in the entire Essex League.

There was a final day victory for the 5th XI as they beat Chingford 4s in what was stand-in skipper Alex Bottoms’ last game for the club (for now at least). Batting first Upminster’s innings was an up and down affair, but 42 from Matt Burch and 29 from Gary Carr helped Upminster to reach a competitive total of 184. It may have been more but for a spell of 5-27 from Chingford’s Stuart Cox. While the old boys had done the job with the bat it was the turn of the youngsters with the ball. The spin twins of Joseph Brooks (3-25) and Stan Moore (2-13) ran through the Ching middle order and the home side were eventually bowled out for 168 to give Upminster victory. The result meant Upminster ended the season in a very solid fifth position.

It was a truly memorable last day of the season for the 6th XI and especially for captain Ray Calder. The long-standing skipper had already enjoyed a brilliant season with the bat, and he rounded things off in style with a brilliant unbeaten 110 against Harold Wood at Campion. Calder struck 16 boundaries in an excellent innings while son Ben made 68 at the other end. Adam Overton then made 36 not out from just 33 balls as Upminster piled up 247-1. In reply it was another combination of youth and experience which did the job for Upminster as Don Triggs and Leo Fevzi-Hunt combined to great effect. Fevzi-Hunt picked up four wickets and Triggs three as Wood were bowled out for 134 to give Upminster a win by 113 runs. The 6th XI therefore finished in fifth position in the eleven team division.

The 7th XI finished their season with a fixture against Great Baddow who had subjected Upminster to a heavy defeat earlier in the season. After winning the toss and electing to bat Upminster found themselves in early trouble before a fine fifth wicket partnership between Ollie Clarke and Ollie Ward helped them to recover. Clarke made his maiden senior half century (56) while Ward finished on 39 not out as Upminster moved towards a competitive total. There were also contributions from Will Court and Paul Burley with Upminster closing on 164-6. All of Upminster’s attack then bowled superbly to give their side a scent of victory. Freddie Williams (2-22) and John Oakes (2-31) both picked up a brace of victims, but Baddow kept calm to get home by three wickets with 21 balls to spare.

Full reviews of the season will be provided during September.