COLCHESTER and East Essex Cricket Club Ladies have returned to winning form in the Women's Cricket Southern League.

They secured a 79-run win against Brighton and Hove CC, at Castle Park.

The home side were put in to bat and had a slow start, losing both openers within ten overs.

Clare Heywood was scoring freely until a lbw decision left Colchester struggling on 52 for three, after 16 overs.

Kiri Samaranayake and Beth Dodd steadied the ship and started to build the innings.

Once in, they picked up the run rate and started to find the boundary.

A partnership of 200 saw Dodd reach her first-ever century in style with her maiden six, while Samaranayake scored 67 before being caught.

With wickets in hand, Dodd led a final push to get the home side to 262 for five off their 45, herself finishing on 130 off 103 balls.

Although scoring consistently through their innings, Brighton struggled to maintain the required run rate with accurate lines from the Colchester bowlers. Harman and Barrs put on 75 but once Barrs was run out by an excellent throw from extra cover by Castle and Harman was caught behind for 96 off Heywood, the visitors were always swimming against the tide and finished on 183 for six.

Colchester and East Essex CC Ladies travel to Ashford, Surrey for their next game on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Colchester and East Essex CC will host a Women's Prosecco Cricket Evening later this month.

To celebrate the Women's World Cup being held in England this summer, the ECB are encouraging clubs to hold their own Softball Cricket events for women.

Colchester will stage the event on Friday, June 16 at Castle Park and encourage any women of all ages to give it a go.

Organiser Natalie Samaranayake said: "It's suitable for players of all abilities but especially beginners.

"Once signed up, registered teams will get a free glass of Prosecco and a t-shirt each and a few games of cricket in a festival environment.

"Bowling can be overarm or underarm and with a coaches corner that will offer newbies advice there really is nothing to worry about."

Colchester and EE are looking to encourage work teams, sports teams, mums amongst others to give it a go.

With food, music and other entertainment on the night it should be a great event for all the family.

For more information, email nat_tgo@hotmail.com