COLCHESTER and East Essex Cricket Club have returned to the Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division's relegation zone following a heavy defeat at Chingford.

Jake Foley's side had been hoping to build on their opening league victory of the season against Upminster.

But they crashed to a 131-run defeat, to fall to their fourth league loss of the season.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Chingford made a solid start to proceedings.

Their openers Alfie Taylor and Ben MacGregor put on 71 runs for the opening wicket.

And despite the impressive Greg Stephens (3-20) making inroads in his ten-wicket spell, Taylor dominated proceedings.

He eventually finished unbeaten with an outstanding knock of 194, as Chingford posted a daunting total of 326 for five.

Aside from Stephens' input wickets proved in short supply for Colchester, with Foley (1-90) claiming the only other scalp.

Colchester made a disappointing start in reply, with their opener Greg DeSilva dismissed for just five.

Jack Hebron, fresh from his magnificent century the previous week against Upminster, did his best to provide resistance.

But after he departed for 72, the visitors rather struggled to deal with Chingford's attack.

Darren Eckford (38) and Bill Ince (19) did their best to keep battling, in the middle and lower order for Colchester.

But the visitors were eventually dismissed for 195 in 43.4 overs, to suffer a comprehensive defeat.

Colchester host Shenfield at Castle Park, on Saturday.

Colchester II found themselves on the end of a narrow defeat against Woodford Wells, at Castle Park.

They were beaten by seven runs, in the second XI premier division clash.

Colchester won the toss and inserted their visitors into bat.

Tom Savage (2-68) made early inroads after removing two of Woodford Well's top-three batsmen.

But Kieran Dale (4-36) was Colchester's most potent bowler on the day, with four wickets in his nine-over spell.

Woodford Wells eventually finished on 227-9 in 45 overs and Colchester made an excellent start in reply.

Openers Omar Ahmed (61) and Adnan Hashmi (55) were in fine form, while later on Feroze Ahmed (50) hit a half century before being run out.

But Woodford Wells slowly chipped away at the hosts' tail and eventually secured a slender win.

Colchester III conceded their third XI division two fixture against Gidea Park and Romford, the fourth time they have done so this season.