Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club chairman Andrew Kennedy says this weekend is an important one for the club – both on and off the pitch.

Colchester host Chelmsford in an important top-four clash in the Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division tomorrow, at Castle Park.

And the following day at the same venue, they host a T20 competition as part of their ECB Waitrose Club Open Day.

Colchester head into their game against Chelmsford on the back of last weekend’s fine win over leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook, which left them 24 points off top spot.

Kennedy said: “It’s a big weekend for the club and I remember it being a similar kind of situation this time, last year.

“We’re in the middle of a tough run of games at the moment – we played the leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook last weekend, we have Chelmsford tomorrow, then we play Buckhurst Hill who have been a bit of a nemesis team for us and then Hornchurch.

“I think the outcome of this period will pretty much define whether we win the league or finish fourth.”

On Sunday, Colchester host the North Essex Cricket League Triangular T20 competition, which will also see Great Bentley and Little Bardfield Village compete.

It will double up as the ECB Club Open Day in association with Waitrose, with doors open to the public all day.

In addition to the cricket there will also be junior practice and the men’s Wimbledon and Euro 2016 finals will be shown on a big screen, along with a barbeque and a bar being open throughout the day.

“It’s a good day for the club and there will be a lot going on,” added Kennedy.

“There’s the Race for Life taking place and we’ll be opening our doors for that.

“We also have the T20 competition which we’re looking forward to and we have other clubs coming down for that.

“The aim is to open the club up to the community and get people involved.”