COLCHESTER and East Essex skipper Tom Ullyott was pleased to see his side maintain their league momentum following victory over bottom club South Woodford.

Colchester chalked up a third win in the Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division, thanks to a five-wicket triumph at Castle Park.

South Woodford were skittled out for 123, with opening strike bowlers Ben Stephens (3-17) and Darren Eckford (2-27) taking five wickets between them.

And although Colchester's reply initially wobbled at 28 for three, Ullyott (76 not out) helped them get back on track and seal their victory.

Ullyott said: "We kept the buzz going and the main thing was that we got the 20 points in the bag we were aiming for.

"It was relatively comfortable in the end but it wasn't an easy game.

"It was a bit wet at the start which delayed the start.

"But we won the toss and that was important, as it would have been in a lot of games up and down the league last weekend because of the rain.

"We managed to restrict them to 123 and the lads bowled well.

"They got a good partnership going at one stage but as soon as we broke that, we were able to finish things off pretty well.

"We found ourselves wobbling a bit at 30-4 and struggling a little bit but then we managed to finish things off.

"I managed to score 76 not out and Jack Crace who is only 17 stuck around with me well, to make sure that we got safely over the line."

Colchester failed to build on that performance the following day, when they lost by 148 runs against Wanstead and Snaresbrook in the ECB National Club Championship.

After being put into bat, Wanstead made 271 for five in their 45 overs, with Jake Foley (2-48 in nine overs) the pick of the hosts' bowlers.

But in reply, Colchester were dismissed for 123 with only four of their players making it to double figures.

"Wanstead and Snaresbrook are a good side," added Ullyott, who top-scored for Colchester with 36.

"They're near the top of the table but we didn't turn up and we weren't really at the races.

"We fielded poorly and we bowled both sides of the wicket in a 45-over game, which you can't afford to do.

"The likes of Julian Russell, Sam Foster and Darren Eckford weren't available and we lacked a couple of guys in the middle order.

"Nothing much went for us on the day and they had a little more luck in the field than we did but Wanstead deserved to win.

"I hope they do well in the next round, as they will be representing the Essex League in the competition."