COLCHESTER and East Essex have reached the regional final of the Cockspur National Knockout Cup.

However, their Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division title hopes are all but gone after a shoddy display against Wanstead.

Put into bat by Wanstead in damp conditions at Castle Park, Colchester looked set for a huge score.

They reached 81 for one off 18 overs, as Julian Russell (59) tore into Essex fast bowler Mervyn Westfield, who was smashed out of the attack after just three expensive overs.

Colchester's dominance didn't last, though.

Only Matt Austin (13 off 53 balls) and skipper Andrew Kennedy (25 off 81 balls) were able to reach double figures as the home side slipped to a disappointing 142 all out.

With Wanstead then reduced to eight for three inside the first seven overs of their reply, it looked as though Colchester were set to pull off a remarkable turnaround.

But their lack of killer instinct cost them dear again, as Westfield (88 not out) made up for his poor bowling with a match-winning innings.

McGarry (13-3-47-2) and Nick Gibbs (11-6-19-1) were the pick of the Colchester bowlers.

Colchester's second team fared just as badly in the reverse fixture at Wanstead in the second XI premier division.

In similarly damp conditions, Colchester struggled their way to 120 for six from their first 40 overs.

George Brown (36) and Adam Rutter (42) showed runs could be scored with occupation of the crease, and Buddhi Attanayake (46 not out from 17 balls) needed no fuss to take Colchester to a more respectable 182 for six from 52 overs.

Wanstead eased to their target, with Danny Walters (86 not out) taking the home side to victory in a hurry, with seven wickets to spare.

On Sunday, Colchester booked their Cockspur National Knockout regional final with Cambridge Granta after they beat Hampstead by 73 runs.

Colchester batted first, with Greg De Silva (61 not out) top-scoring, while Matt Austin (42) and Julian Russell (22) also contributed as they finished on 185 for nine from their 45 overs.

Hampstead were then blown away by Buddhi Attanayake, enjoying a fine all-round weekend, taking four for 43.

Iain McQueen (two for 31), Joe Austin (two for 21) and Alex Young (one for 18) also took wickets.