REECE Topley helped Colchester & East Essex progress in the ECB National Club Championship with an impressive win at Saffron Walden.

But the Essex seamer’s appearance was somewhat overshadowed by a superb innings from Joe Austin, which helped them secure a 72-run win.

Topley featured in Colchester’s opening game in this year’s competition, as he builds his fitness in the opening weeks of the County Championship season.

The 21-year-old, who did not bowl, was part of a winning side for the visitors, who were put into bat by East Anglian Premier League outfit Saffron Walden.

Colchester’s opening pair of Julian Russell and Kemsley Robb laid the foundations for a good total.

The duo scored 47 and although Robb went for 23, Jack Hebron (48) came to the crease and kept the runs coming.

Even after Russell was bowled for 30, Austin took on the mantle by hitting an impressive 92 for Colchester.

And although Austin was eventually dismissed by Philp eight runs short of a century, by then he had helped the visitors on the way to a good total.

Club skipper Andrew Kennedy added a useful 18 towards the end, as the visitors posted a total of 247 for seven in their 45 overs.

Colchester’s bowlers made a great start, with Ben Stephens (2-18) dismissing Saffron Walden opener Philp for a duck.

Stephens also removed Andrew Wright (11) soon after to leave the hosts on 26 for two and wickets fell regularly after that.

Greg Stephens (4-22) proved a thorn in the hosts’ side and his impressive nine-over spell left Colchester in firm control.

Saffron Walden were teetering on 117 for nine and although a final-wicket partnership of 58 saw them launch a brief fightback, Hebron (1-59) claimed the final wicket to seal Colchester’s progress.

The previous day, Colchester ran out six-wicket winners in their Shepherd Neame Essex League Cup match at Benfleet.

After putting Benfleet into bat, the visitors skittled them out for 137.

Austin was the pick of Colchester’s bowlers, claiming impressive figures of 3-11 in his 4.3-over spell.

Greg Stephens (3-32) also contributed well in his eight-over stint, to give Colchester’s batsmen a modest target to aim for.

They needed less than 17 overs to claim victory, with openers Hebron (44 not out) and Robb (34) providing the platform for a comfortable win.