Upminster bid for benefit match joy against Essex XI

A number of junior and ladies events take place at Upminster Park from 9.30am, with the main match set to start at 2.45pm.

And the Hamro Foundation Essex League Division One club have included Vicky Waters in their 13-strong squad – the first female to represent Upminster in the long-running series.

The Essex squad was due to be confirmed following the conclusion of their County Championship match against Middlesex, with plenty of big names having appeared in the past 22 encounters.

Robin Das (76), Jamie Porter (64) and Dan Lawrence (46) led Essex to 225-4 last year, with Tom Daniels (85) top scoring in reply as Upminster came up short on 214-8.

A spokesperson said: “It looks like someone has booked the weather again so it’s all set to be another great day!!

“These days are always great occasions and I think post-Covid our club members and the local community have come to appreciate and enjoy them even more.

“It’s been a great season for the club with the 3rd XI claiming the title last week and so much success for our colts teams, so it’s going to be great to bring everyone together for a day like this, see some of the Essex stars in action and for everyone to end the summer in style.”

Upminster saw their third XI clinch the Premier Division title on the final day of the campaign last weekend.

Dan Simpson’s side had been in a two-horse race with Harlow – as was the case in 2022 – and a late run of good form saw them clinch a third title in six years.

Kevin Roome broke a 64-run opening stand for Woodford Wells and dismissed dangerous home captain Will Rogers for 74 as Gus Siggins took a catch at long on.

Sam Twine then got in on the act and would finish with 4-41 as Wells closed on 220-6.

Simpson (63) and Steve Limn (60) shared a century stand in reply, before Siggins and Rob Healy took up the charge and combined for six sixes.

And Siggins, who is in the benefit match squad alongside Simpson, smashed a four through mid-wicket to seal an eight-wicket win with more than 20 overs to spare.

The seconds beat their Ilford rivals in a low-scoring thriller at Valentines Park in Nicky Ison’s last match as captain.

Upminster collapsed from 39-1 to 88 all out in 18 overs, but Ison (3-28) and Billy Wright (5-21) ripped through the home batting as Stu Connor took three catches at short leg.

Jordan Tolan wrapped up a 24-run win as Upminster finished third, before joining their third XI clubmates at Wells to celebrate.

The fifths beat Chingford fourths as stand-in captain Alex Bottoms played his last game for the club.

Matt Burch (42) top scored as they posted 184, before spin twins Joseph Brooks (3-25) and Stan Moore (2-13) combined to set up a 16-run victory.

And there was a memorable last-day win for long-serving sixth-team captain Ray Calder to cheer against Harold Wood at Campion.

Calder hit a brilliant unbeaten 110, with 16 boundaries, as son Ben (68) gave support at the other end.

Adam Overton hit an unbeaten 36 from 33 balls as Upminster posted 247-1, before Leo Fevzi-Hunt took four wickets and veteran Don Triggs nabbed three to secure a 113-run triumph.

Upminster Benefit Match squad: Pulkit Gupta (captain), Kiran Kullar, Aki Rahman, Nehal Butt, Callum Berry, James Evans, Shafiq Rahman, Ollie Todd, Max Carter-Miller, Vicky Waters, Dan Simpson, Ray Calder, Jamie Green, Gus Siggins.