Following on from the first article where we took a look back at the team from 2004, we go further back in time and take a look at the team from 1990.

Under the captaincy of Peter Clark, the 1st XI had a very successful season winning both the Merseyside Competition and Lever Cup as well as finishing as runners-up in the Kaufman Memorial Trophy .

The 1st XI played a total of 27 games and used 25 different players with only Peter Clark, Norman Halsall and Brian Shenton being ever present.

Looking at the team photo, we take a closer look at the players involved (starting from the back row from left to right)...

Back row (L-R)
IAN HOLMES (SCORER)
Ian was in his peak in 1990 and had one of his best spells for the club as scorer. An impeccably neat book, with a great array of colours used. A career wasted when he had the mis-guided belief he could play cricket.

NIGEL SHARROCK
Played: 16
Runs: 138
Average: 19.71
Highest Score: 36
Fielding: 5 catches
A man who needs no introduction but what was he like in 1990 - well nothing's changed still a bad tempered, moaning bugger, who I think retired for the 1st time in 1990 as he has done every year since. A destructive batsman who could turn a game in a few overs and his banter with Chris Camden made sure the changing room was never a place for the faint hearted.

NICK RIVETT
Played: 14
Runs: 35
Average: 5.83
Highest Score: 9
Fielding: 15 catches
In 1990 he was the 1st XI keeper, and whilst we have been blessed over the years with some great keepers I don't believe any have been better than Nick. Nick would only have been about 18 so he was still developing as a batsman and would go on to captain the 1st XI.

IAN POTTER
Played: 1
Runs: 23
Average: 23.00
Highest Score: 23
Still turns out occasionally for Upton 3rd and 4th XIs. In 1990 Ian was still learning his trade and though he could handle the quick stuff had a weakness against slow bowling. However once he overcame this Ian went onto become a brilliant batsmen on which a lot of our success in the mid to late 90's was based. From memory he scored over 750 league runs on two occasions.

SIMON McGOWAN
Played: 23
Runs: 25
Highest Score: 12
Wickets: 57
Fielding: 11
The current Junior Cricket Chairman was a fresh faced youngster back in 1990 and an extremely handy cricketer as his bowling stats show. Still makes the odd appearance now and again and has hopefully passed on his talents to his 3 kids.

ALEX KEGG
Played: 17
Runs: 99
Average: 19.80
Highest Score: 51
Wickets: 29
Fielding: 7 catches
Joined us from Bromborough Pool CC, and became the first ever professional grounds man at the UCG. It was the foresight to employ him and the fact that he was an extremely conscientious grounds man that saw the UCG facilities and in particular the wickets improve dramatically in the early 1990's which helped pave the way for our entry into the Cheshire County League. Opened the bowling at a lively pace and was an excellent out fielder. Left the Club to take up a position as Chester Boughton Hall's grounds man, and was until very recently a mainstay of Chester's bowling attack.

CHRIS CAMDEN
Played: 1
Runs: 4
Average: 4
Highest Score: 4
Fielding: 1 catch
Along with Nigel ensured a great team spirit, though some of the topics might now fall amiss of the child welfare officer. Normally a slow starter but a destructive batsman who was more than capable of changing a game in a few overs.

GARY DIXON
Played: 25
Runs: 703
Average: 35.15
Highest Score: 91
Wickets: 55
Fielding: 7 catches
The second player from this vintage to have now passed 500 1st XI games. A true all rounder, if you think he's competitive now, imagine what he was like 25 years ago.

Front row (L-R)
JOHN STOWELL-SMITH
Played: 22
Runs: 93
Average: 10.33
Highest Score: 19
Wickets: 3
Fielding: 4 catches
Father of Chris, currently one of the best batsmen in the 1st XI, and though John would probably concede batting honours to Chris, it would be a tight call when it comes to fielding. John was one of the best fielders the Club has had and possibly the best gully fielder ever. A great team man who was a Captain's dream, as well as brilliant fielder, a good bowler, and a more than useful middle order batsman especially in a tight run chase when his speed between the wickets would often be the difference between a win or a draw. John brought great enthusiasm to any team just through his pure enjoyment of playing cricket, always noted for his sartorial elegance, John is down most Saturdays enjoying a pint watching Chris.

NORMAN HALSALL
Played: 27
Runs: 696
Average: 26.77
Highest Score: 104
Wickets: 32
Fielding: 8 catches
In the 50's and 60's the name Halsall was synonymous with Upton CC, with Norman's father and uncle???? both playing 1st XI cricket at Upton. In fact Norman made his senior debut for the 1st XI aged just 13. There then followed a career at all but the highest level with Norman proing in the Lancashire leagues often pitting his skills against some of the game's top names. He then returned to the Liverpool Comp and helped Neston establish themselves as a leading team. Well into his 50's he returned to Upton and provided impetus to the Club's ambitious plans which eventually saw us join the Cheshire county. Even though already well past 50 Norman proved himself a top player with both bat and ball and did much to instil a steely determination into the sides he played for.

PETER CLARK
Played: 27
Runs: 254
Average: 23.09
Highest Score: 53
Wickets: 30
Fielding: 4 catches
The skipper, led from the front, took the Club from perennial bridesmaids to one of the best sides to have played in the Merseyside competition and in 1990 won the second of four consecutive league titles, plus a host of Cup wins and giant killing acts in the Cheshire Cup.

MIKE CROKER
Played: 20
Runs: 378
Average: 27.00
Highest Score: 66
Fielding: 5 cacthes
Joined us towards the end of his career having been an integral part of Oxton's 1st XI for many years. Brought stability to a middle order of shots makers, and like Norman, having played in a higher standard, brought an added level of intensity to our game. Undoubtedly one of the best slip catchers ever to grace the 1st XI, I think any opening bowler would be happy to see Mike standing at 1st slip.

BRIAN SHENTON/b]
[b]Played: 27
Runs: 371
Average: 24.73
Highest Score: 45
Fielding: 11 catches
The first player to complete 500 1st XI games. Probably the ultimate all rounder, top order batsman, frontline bowler, and wicketkeeper. A great fielder, the best short leg fielder we've ever had, played 1st XI cricket across 5 decades and an Upton legend. Also a bad man, enough said.

The 13 other players who played that year, and their respective stats are shown below...