COLCHESTER and East Essex continued their excellent form with a three-wicket win over Wanstead and Snaresbrook.

Simon Fernandes' superb century was the main highlight, in what was another impressive display by Darren Eckford's in-form side.

The win moved Colchester up to fifth spot in the Hamro Foundation Essex League premier division.

Colchester skipper Darren Eckford won the toss at Castle Park and elected to field first.

Wanstead and Snaresbrook made a solid start, with openers Tom Simmons (51) and Bilal Patel (22) putting on 56 for the first wicket.

Robin Das (71) carried on the visitors' momentum after that and Kishen Velani (37) also scored well, as Wanstead made it to 171 for four at one stage.

Eshun Kalley finished unbeaten on 59 from 50 balls as the visitors declared on 268 for six, off 55 overs.

Eckford was the pick of the Colchester bowlers after claiming 3-74 in his 21-over spell, while Charlie Fernandes (2-70) in 13 overs.

Colchester were given a revised target of 269 to win from 65 overs.

Opener Joe MacGregor got them off to a good start and went on to hit 57 off 93 balls.

Ben Robinson (seven) and Dan Wolf (1) came and went without really troubling the scorers.

But when Simon Fernandes (105) came to the crease, it changed the dynamic of the Colchester innings.

He struck up a fine partnership of 78 with MacGregor.

And when MacGregor departed, the two Fernandes brothers doubled up to produce a vital partnership of 59, with Charlie Fernandes scoring 30.

Eckford (37 not out) was able to steer Colchester home to victory in 64.2 overs, as they maintained their superb form.

Colchester's second XI suffered a heavy 174-run defeat at Upminster, in their latest Second XI division one game.

After electing to bat first, Upminster made 230 for six declared in 39 overs.

Cameron Sprott (2-18) and Sebastian Wheeler (2-25) took two wickets apiece for Colchester.

Colchester's batsmen struggled in reply with only one of their batters - Rahul Viswanath (19) - making it to double figures.

The visitors were eventually bowled out for 56, to fall to a comprehensive defeat.