COLCHESTER and East Essex spinner Greg Stephens will miss the rest of the season with a thumb injury sustained prior to their one-wicket defeat at Shenfield.

Stephens was taken to hospital and had three pins inserted in his thumb after suffering the injury in the warm-up before his side’s one-wicket defeat, in their latest Shepherd Neame Essex League first XI premier division clash.

Colchester were already without Ollie Bocking who was rested following his recent Essex duties and Stephens’ injury forced the visitors to play with only ten players.

Tom Allison – father of young bowler Ben - fielded in place of Greg Stephens but was not permitted to bat.

With a player short, Colchester could only set Shenfield a modest target of 158 to win after electing to bat first, with skipper Tom Ullyott top-scoring with 43.

And despite Ben Allison’s eye-catching figures of 4-33 in his seven-over spell, the hosts were able to reach their target and claim a narrow victory.

Colchester captain Ullyott said: “It was a close game and unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end of it.

“Greg could well have been the difference between us winning or losing the game.

“But we only managed just over 150, which was never going to be enough on a flat deck like that and we didn’t bat well enough.

“I’d like to see us contribute a bit more on that front and have a bit more discipline.

“There are some nice wickets to play on throughout the county at the moment, so there are no excuses.”

Ben Allison’s contribution with the ball against Shenfield was one of the biggest positives for Colchester, who now lie sixth in the premier division table.

“Ben looks a real hot prospect,” added Ullyott.

“He’s only 16 but he’s 6ft 2in and he bowled very well and managed to take four wickets.

“He’s done well every time he’s had an opportunity and what I like is that he keeps things simple and doesn’t try to over-complicate things.”

Colchester (278-9) ran out 41-run winners over Chingford (237-9) in the second XI premier division, with Simon Fernandes top-scoring for them with 64.

And Ankush Jagota (5-8) was in fantastic form as Colchester’s third team (114-1) beat Southend-on-Sea and EMT (111) by nine wickets, in third XI division one.