1st XI vs Grappenhall (A)
Date/Time: Sat 22 August | 12pm
Preview: The 1s will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the league this Saturday against a Grappenhall team currently sat in the relegation places. Tom Marsland’s side picked up more important points last week in a 35-run win over Oakmere, and the skipper has two regulars returning to the line-up this week in top run scorer Luke Camden and Jack Randle. Grappenhall will be looking to stop the rot after three straight defeats – including a 3-wicket loss to North East Cheshire last week – and will be looking for a good performance from all-rounder Jason Batson, who is both their leading run scorer and wicker taker, if they are to do so.
League Position: Upton – 1st (284 pts) | Grappenhall – 11th (165 pts)
Leading Run Scorers: Upton – Luke Camden (625) | Grappenhall – Jason Batson (534)
Leading Wicket Takers: Upton – Phil McGowan (36) | Grappenhall – Jason Batson (25)
Previous Meeting: 6 June 2026: Upton won by 7 wickets. Grappenhall scored 211/9 from their 50 overs (Joe Williams 3-51) before Upton reached the target in the 44th over just 3 wickets down (Luke Camden 100).

2nd XI vs TIMPERLEY (H)
Date/Time: Sat 22 August | 12pm
Preview: After a dramatic relegation dogfight win by 3 wickets against Widnes last week – with vital runs from Joe Smith (52) and Callum McCormick (46*) – the 2s will be desperate to increase their breathing room. To that end, a win this Saturday will see them leapfrog their opponents, Timperley. Rich Battersby makes three changes for this one: Adam Neal and Mike Yeates come down from the 1s, and Dave Williams comes on to strengthen the bowling. Timperley have lost two on the spin, most recently a 3-wicket defeat against Brooklands, so will be looking for the same outcome from the last time these sides met.
League Position: Upton – 10th (160 pts) | Timperley – 9th (170 pts)
Leading Run Scorers: Upton – Darren Warburton (468) | Timperley – Shahnawaz Khan (311)
Leading Wicket Takers: Upton – Tom Wood (34) | Toft – Muhammad Murtaza Khan (25)
Previous Meeting: 6 June 2026: Timperley chased down a low target to win by 5 wickets. Upton were all out before drinks for 94 (Tom Woods 38). Timperley then lost 5 wickets but still won the match inside 18 overs.

3rd XI vs Urmston 2nd XI (A)
Date/Time: Sat 22 August | 12pm
Preview: Luke Williams takes his side to a different UCG this week, as the 3s travel to Urmston 2s. After a setback in the promotion race with last Saturday’s loss to Heaton Mersey, the skipper is able to name a strong side, with a mixture of youth and experience among the 6 players returning to the 3s: Sam Cliff, Nick Cockrell, Dave Stewart, Liam Sundve, Sam Williams and Tom Wood. Speaking of experience, leading wicket taker Simon McGowan became just the third player to reach 700 league games for the club last week. As for Urmston, they will be looking to build on a 40-run win against Cheadle Hulme 2s last time out.
League Position: Upton – 3rd (269 pts) | Urmston – 5th (235 pts)
Leading Run Scorers: Upton – Jonathan Cockrell (303) | Urmston – Chris Turner (453)
Leading Wicket Takers: Upton – Simon McGowan (34) | Urmston – Craig Wilson (26)
Previous Meeting: 6 June 2026: Despite the best efforts of the Cockrells, Upton lost by 6 runs, losing their last wicket on the penultimate ball of the match. Urmston posted 229/8 from their 50 overs (Jonathan Cockrell 3-40), and Upton then fell agonisingly short of the target – all out for 223 (Nick Cockrell 81).

4th XI vs OLD PARKONIANS 2ND XI (H)
Date/Time: Sat 22 August | 1pm
Preview: A good contest beckons between the 4s and Old Parkonians 2s this weekend, with both teams looking for a fifth win in a row. Captain (and division-leading run scorer) Phil Wood makes 3 changes after last week’s 75-run win against Appleton (Bob Chapman 60; Praveen Fredy 5-25), as Gav Byrom, Josh Morris and Jack Presswell come into the side. Stalwart opener (and very occasional bowler…) Bob reached 14,000 runs for the club last week – here’s hoping he can make a solid start on his way to 15,000 this Saturday! Old Parkonians come into this one off the back of a nailbiter where they beat Chester County Officers 2s by 1 run.
League Position: Upton – 4th (211 pts) | Old Parkonians – 2nd (231 pts)
Leading Run Scorers: Upton – Phil Wood (575) | Old Parkonians – Tim Hitchell (399)
Leading Wicket Takers: Upton – Alexa Harrison (32) | Old Parkonians – Shanukanth Kanagarajah (19)
Previous Meeting: 6 June 2026: Old Parkonians won comfortably by 8 wickets. Upton battled to 120 all out with a single ball left in their innings, but Old Parkonians raced to 121/2 inside 17 overs.

Sunday 1st XI vs LIVERPOOL SUPERKINGS FRIENDLY XI (H)
Date/Time: Sun 23 August | 1.30pm
Preview: After a few weeks off, the Sunday 1s return to action as they host Liverpool Superkings Friendly XI. They will be looking for a better outcome this Sunday, following a 3-run defeat to Burton Friendly XI last time out. Captain Tom Wood names a relatively youthful side for this one. Jakob Cooper, Clive Moore, Josh Morris, Sam Neal, Sully Smith, Isaac Taylor, Olivia Taylor, Louis Turner, Euan Walton and Callum McCormick make up the line-up as the Sunday 1s look to avenge a defeat from earlier this summer against this week’s opposition.
Previous Meeting: 7 June 2026: Upton lost by 40 runs. Liverpool Superkings batted first and were all out for 174 (Josh Morris 3-49), but Upton could only manage 134 in reply (Callum McCormick 28*).

Over 40s @ Over 40s Cup Finals Day, Timperley CC
Date/Time: Sun 23 August | 11am
Preview: The Over 40s will be competing in the Over 40s Cup Finals Day this Sunday at Timperley CC. They play Grappenhall in the first semi-final at 11am and, if victorious, will face either Woodley or Hyde at 2.30pm. The Over 40s reached this stage of the competition after finishing 2nd in the Western Group (by way of a coin toss after tying with Neston in the standings) and then dispatching Cheadle Hulme by 7 wickets in the quarter-finals. All support welcome for the Over 40s’ quest for silverware. Hopefully they can bring the prize back to Old Greasy Road!
Leading Run Scorer: Ian Potter (289)
Leading Wicket Taker: Ian Sharrock (13)