PROLIFIC teenager Joe MacGregor enjoyed a weekend to remember for Colchester and East Essex after piling on the runs at Castle Park.

The 16-year-old opener hit a magnificent 111 off just 132 balls to help Colchester move to the top of Shepherd Neame Essex League division one with victory over Woodford Wells.

And 24 hours later, MacGregor was in free-scoring form again after hitting 131 for the club against Clacton, in the North Essex Cricket League.

Colchester first team captain Darren Eckford told the Gazette: “Joe’s been quality for us for a couple of years now.

“It’s scary to think that he’s only 16 years old.

“We don’t put any pressure on Joe – he expects a lot of himself and he continues to deliver on it.

“He’s extremely well driven and we’re just there to help him play the best cricket he can.

“We’re lucky to have him in our side but I’m sure we won’t have him for long, given his quality.”

MacGregor was not the only batsman in superb form for Colchester, in their 115-run win over Woodford.

Denson Narayan struck a magnificent unbeaten 113 off just 59 deliveries, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground in an innings that included 15 fours and four sixes.

It was a superb maiden century for the Grenada under-19 international, who reached his half century off just 38 balls.

“Denson is a very big part of our team and we expect him to play a significant role both with bat and ball between now and the end of the season, along with in the field where he’s also excellent,” said Eckford.

“Denson is undoubtedly our number one all-rounder.

“His bowling for us week in, week out is unbelievable.

“He’s so reliable and consistent and when he gets in, he is extremely destructive – it’s amazing to watch.

“He doesn’t slog – he plays cricket shots at 360 degrees and no area of the ground is safe when he’s in.

“You have to be very tactical when you play against him and he makes it very difficult for opposition teams.”

After being put into bat, Colchester posted a total of 316 for four off their 50 overs, with Jack Hobbs (48) also posting a significant contribution.

Woodford Wells lost three early wickets and although a fourth-wicket 117-run partnership briefly steadied the ship, they were eventually dismissed for 201 inside 47 overs.

MacGregor (3-14) and Harry McBrearty (4-40) took the bulk of the wickets.

Colchester’s second team (171) lost at Chingford II (305-5) by 134 runs, in Second XI division one.