The Gold Standard

PUBLISHED: 08:39 19 May 2015 | UPDATED: 08:39 19 May 2015

Upminster's Kevin Roome searches for a lost ball

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Upminster's Karim Govani checks on availability

Team: Upminster 4th XI

Last Season: Narrowly avoided relegation on the final day.

2015 Prediction: Another tough year is expected for Billy Wright’s team. Their bowling should carry them and yield a few wins with Wright and Govani the mainstay of the attack.

Steve Limn will think of a few more excuses of why he got out. One excuse won’t be his Golden Gate Bridge-sized gap in his forward defence.

Key Player: He may bowl like a horse with three legs, but Billy Wright will be man to lead the attack.

Young Star: Stephen Mulhern look-alike Matt Peters is a promising left-arm seamer.

Sponge Power odds: Karim Govani to visit a Gentleman’s Club after taking a 5-wicket haul - Evens.

Team: Upminster 5th XI

Last Season: 8th.

2015 Prediction: Another tough season ahead for what will be a very youthful side.

Alex Bottoms takes over the captaincy fresh from working a ski season, but will spend most of the summer looking like he is batting with a ski.

The poor youngsters will need some ear-plugs by June after spending their Saturday afternoons listening to the foghorn of a captain.

Key Player: Kevin Roome will be chasing more wickets to add to his PlayCricket stats.

Young Star: Kiran Kullar is a very talented player. He can solidify a brittle top order.

Sponge Power odds: Alex Bottoms to get bowled by a girl (again) - 5/4.

Team: Upminster 6th XI

Last Season: Relegated.

2015 Prediction: Now in a league to match their standard, the 6th XI should have more positive results.

If the 6th XI wins any game, the selection committee will be treated to a 30-minute ball-by-ball match report from Paul Scott.

Key Player: Paul Scott will open the batting and bowl 15 overs a game. Will eventually get some runs.

Young Star: After showing up all the adults at fitness training, 12-year-old Sam Twine is an encouraging player.

Sponge Power odds: A 6th XI batsman getting a league 50 - 5/1.