Upminster captain Alan Ison knows his side must perform better in order to beat second-placed Hutton this weekend.

The Upminster Park-based outfit will make the trip to the Polo Field Ground on Saturday as they look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last time out.

But the skipper knows they face another tough test as Hutton have rocketed up the Hamro Foundation Essex League Division One table in recent weeks.

“Hutton are a good young team, it will be a tough game, like any game in this league,” Ison said.

“They’ve got some really good players so we’ll see how we get on and hopefully we can perform better than we did last week.”

The league is separated by 45 points from leaders Fives & Heronians to basement side Horndon heading into the weekend’s games.

“It’s one of the most ridiculous leagues that I've played in, two weeks ago Hutton were bottom and now they’re second, so we know a win could take you up to first or second but a loss could also take you right down the league," added Ison.

“Everyone is beating everyone which makes it quite an exciting league to play in, but there is more added pressure when you’re not picking up points.”

He added: “Consistent performances or just consistently picking up points especially in these timed games where if you bat first and you don’t win you still get 12 points.

Romford Recorder: Upminster CC (batting) vs Buckhurst Hill CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Upminster Park on 26th June 2021Upminster CC (batting) vs Buckhurst Hill CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Upminster Park on 26th June 2021 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

“Winning close games is also huge, we’ve won a few and lost a few, but overall I think it will come down to fine margins.

“We should still be there or thereabouts.”

It was a nine-wicket defeat to Buckhurst Hill at the weekend after winning the toss and electing to bat first then collapsing to 62 all out, with Tom Daniels top scoring with just 12 runs.

Buckhurst Hill then managed to seal a comfortable victory and Ison added: “It was disappointing to be bowled out for 62, we were second in the league going into that game, and playing really well.

Romford Recorder: Upminster CC (batting) vs Buckhurst Hill CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Upminster Park on 26th June 2021Upminster CC (batting) vs Buckhurst Hill CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Upminster Park on 26th June 2021 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

“These things happen, so it’s best to forget about it rather than dwell on it too much. Fair play to Buckhurst Hill they bowled really well and we didn’t bat well at all.

“It was a combination of both, we need to forget about it, though, and move on.”