Colchester fly up the table (From Gazette)

Colchester fly up the table

10:33am Wednesday 17th June 2009 in

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Colchester and East Essex are in the midst of a miraculous upturn in form.

Having been languishing in the bottom two in the premier division, a second successive victory – this time against local rivals Chelmsford – has seen them leapfrog up to third.

Again it was their bowling which helped them to win the game. The early season doubters were firmly put in their place, as Chelmsford were duly dismissed for 183 at Chelmer Park, with Colchester knocking off the runs for the loss of five wickets.

Skipper Andrew Kennedy said he has been pleasantly surprised by his side’s renaissance in recent weeks.

He told the Gazette: “While is wasn’t all doom and gloom it is fair to say we were not playing anywhere near our best and did not look like a side which was going to be challenging in the upper half of the table.

“However, some of the younger players, like Kieran Savill and Gareth Fisher, have really shone and we have found that the transition to all day cricket has not been a difficult one.”

Colchester lost three of their 50-over clashes on the trot, but with bowlers now able to bowl longer spells, Colchester were able to make the most of their more accurate bowlers – like Nick Gibbs.

The medium-pacer took 4-58 from 20 overs after Fisher had taken two early wickets.

Kennedy took a wicket before Savill cleared up the lower order, finishing with 3-36 from ten overs.

Fisher was promoted to open with Julian Russell in the absence of Omar Ahmed and Greg De Silva, and the pair made a reasonable start.

Both reached 19 before being dismissed and Australian Nathan O’Brien played the match-winning innings.

His 70 was combined with knocks of 22 by Joe Barnett and Kennedy to take Colchester to victory.

Colchester’s second team won a thrilling encounter at Castle Park against Hutton.

The home side bowled the visitors out for 137 and scraped home by one wicket.