Club cricket

All smiles - Colchester and East Essex captain Darren Eckford (left) celebrates a wicket with team-mate Julian Russell against Billericay Picture: TRACY HILLS

Eckford hoping for more wins after Colchester get off the mark

Full flight - Ben Stephens in action for Colchester and East Essex against Hornchurch where he took two wickets Picture: TRACY HILLS Instagram: t_hillsphotos Twitter: @T_Hills1

Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club hoping youngsters will flourish

In form - Colchester and East Essex wicket-keeper Simon Fernandes top-scored for his side with a half century in their defeat against Brentwood Picture: Tracy Hills Instagram: t_hillsphotos Twitter: @T_Hills1

Colchester and East Essex suffer home defeat despite Fernandes half-century

Competitive - Colchester and East Essex are hoping to impress in this season's Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division Picture: Tracy Hills Instagram: t_hillsphotos Twitter: @T_Hills1

Colchester relishing prospect of another top-flight season in Essex League

Howzat! Action from the Colchester and East Essex intersquad game at Castle Park, last weekend Picture: Tracy Hills Instagram: t_hillsphotos Twitter: @T_Hills1

'He’s a leader that people love to follow' - Darren Eckford to lead Colchester again

Trophy time - new Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club batsman Dan Wolf receiving the Devon Cricket League young player of the year trophy Picture: GAVIN LANE

New Colchester signing Dan Wolf is hungry for runs in Essex League top flight

Match to remember - Colchester's Ben Allison in action for Essex in their drawn County Championship match with Worcestershire Picture by TGS PHOTO

'Thrilled to bits' - Colchester youngster Ben's glee at first-class Essex bow

Spoils shared - Essex's LV= Insurance County Championship opener with Worcestershire ended in a draw Picture: JOE GIDDEN/PA WIRE

Champions Essex have to settle for draw in opener after Libby's long haul

Glory days - Essex celebrate as Tom Westley lifts the Bob Willis Trophy Picture: TGS PHOTO/GAVIN ELLIS

Skipper Westley is 'incredibly proud' of champions Essex

Tom Westley of Essex during Surrey CCC vs Essex CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at Guildford CC, The Sports Ground on 9th June 2017.

Westley hopes to finish season on a high with Bob Willis Trophy glory

Breakthrough - Essex bowler Sam Cook celebrates taking a wicket against Middlesex Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex secure place in Bob Willis Trophy Final

JW 01 Sep 2020 cricket essex eagles cricket Essex Eagles' Aron Nijjar winces as the stumps take a direct hit against Hampshire Picture by TGS PHOTO

Essex Eagles suffer a rare defeat

Celebration time - Essex's Simon Harmer (left) celebrates taking Surrey's Scott Borthwick's wicket with his team-mates Picture: GAVIN ELLIS TGS PHOTO

Harmer inspires Essex to impressive win over Surrey

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Team effort - Joe Foster (bottom right) and the Budejovice Barracudas cricket team in the Czech Republic

How Colchester is playing its part in the rise of Czech Republic cricket

New Essex CCC head coach Anthony McGrath during a Media Event at The Cloudfm County Ground on 20th November 2017.

McGrath is delighted to have three fixtures at 'Fortress Chelmsford'

Together but apart: a socially-distanced group photo of the Mistley players. Pictured from left are James Scott (the captain of Scott’s Explorers), Darren Dickins, Matt Bibby, Rob Collett, Callum O’Connell, Cameron Rose, Alex Hood, Tom

Mistley get their season underway as cricket returns to New Road

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Sam Cook of Essex claims the wicket of Sam Billings during Kent CCC vs Essex CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at the St Lawrence Ground on 18th August 2019.

Super Sam hopes to build on explosive end to season

16/05/2015
Cricket, Castle Park, Col, Colchester v Brentwood. Colchester batting
Julian Russell batting (short sleeves)

'We'll be encouraging everyone to go out and play with a smile on their face'

Legend - Colchester and East Essex will compete in the newly-named Gooch Division, named after former Essex and England captain Graham Gooch Picture: STEVE BRADING

Colchester and East Essex to return in Gooch Division

Returning - Essex will start the new season next month Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex to compete in Bob Willis Trophy

Euphoria - Jamie Porter celebrates another wicket for Essex Picture: GAVIN ELLIS/TGSPHOTO.

'I’ve really made some massive strides' - Jamie Porter is raring to go

Essex players celebrate with the Championship Trophy during Somerset CCC vs Essex CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cooper Associates County Ground on 26th September 2019.

County cricket set to return on August 1

Pointing the way - Essex head coach Anthony McGrath Picture: TGS PHOTO

McGrath eyes T20 Blast defence this season

Moving on - Andrew Kennedy has left his role as Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club chairman

Kennedy departs chairman's role on a high note

McGrath knows Somerset loss was a watershed moment

Colchester and East Essex's Andrew Kennedy Picture: STEVE BRADING

Kennedy still hopeful of cricket action

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Champagne moment - Essex celebrate their County Championship win in 2019

Essex place players on furlough leave

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T20 Finals day Derbyshire vs Essex 21-09-19 - 101462

Essex star Harmer proud to be in prestigious Wisden list

MUST CREDIT ESSEX CRICKET CLUB

Essex stars swap crease for kitchen to help hospital

.Colchester and East Essex v Buckhurst Hill. Cricket..

League clubs are 'realistic' about challenges ahead

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Backing - England Test captain Joe Root has thrown his support behind a new cricket academy being launched in Colchester Picture: NIGEL FRENCH/PA WIRE

England Test captain Joe Root backs new Colchester cricket academy

Essex's Dan Lawrence hits out during the NatWest T20 Blast match at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford..

Dynamic Dan will be hoping to kick on after stunning winter Down Under

Preparations - Colchester and East Essex stalwart Julian Russell Picture: STEVE BRADING

'We’ve taken stock of what was a very successful season for us last year and have been able to reflect on things'

Combination - Ben Stephens (left) and Josh Rymell, who have worked closely together at PiriPiri Cricket

'The good thing is that he's always listened and he's like a sponge'

Deal - former Colchester and East Essex youngster Josh Rymell has signed a rookie contract with Essex Picture: STEVE BRADING

Former Colchester youngster signs Essex deal

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Hitting out - Colchester's Julian Russell in action at Castle Park

Colchester are already planning for top flight

Pictures: Rob Smith (RJS Photography)

Champions Frinton sign off in style

Memorable campaign - Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club have been crowned Shepherd Neame Essex League division one champions

Champions Colchester finish a memorable season in style

Clacton's cricketers have been crowned North Essex League champions.

"It's always nice to win things and this success provides a great template for the future" - Seasiders are crowned North Essex League champions

Frinton celebrate their EAPL title success at Mildenhall on Saturday.

"It's been a real team effort and, aside from the players' undoubted quality, our togetherness and work ethic have been key ingredients" - Comber reflects on historic Premier League success

210718 Colchester and East Essex V Orsett & Thurrock..Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One and pink charity day..[there were no sponsors around when i arrived the marquee was empty].Orsett - Batting.Colchester - Fielding.Darren Eckford bowler

'It's down to the input of every individual'

Leading the way - Colchester and East Essex player-coach Jonny Bassett-Graham (left) and skipper Darren Eckford

Praise for Kiwi duo after title win

Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club Castle Park

Colchester clinch promotion with a game to spare

Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club Castle Park

Colchester on the verge of promotion

Essex's Monty Panesar during the Essex County Cricket Club official team photocall at the county ground in Chelmsford Essex..

Title-chasing Colchester claim victory over Panesar's Shenfield

Glory - Colchester and East Essex after being crowned under-19 T20 champions Picture: TRACY HILLS

Colchester's youngsters lift T20 Trophy after dramatic victory

210718 Colchester and East Essex V Orsett & Thurrock..Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One and pink charity day..[there were no sponsors around when i arrived the marquee was empty].Orsett - Batting.Colchester - Fielding.Darren Eckford bowler

Colchester skipper wary of Shenfield threat

Key performer - Denson Narayan claimed four wickets in Colchester and East Essex's win over Fives and Heronians Picture: STEVE BRADING

Colchester strengthen their lead at the top

Frinton v Horsford Picture: Rob Smith (RJS Photography)

Frinton keep their title charge on track

Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club Castle Park

'We’ll certainly not be getting too far ahead of ourselves'

Colchester and East Essex cricket Johnny Bassett-Graham

Colchester stay top after impressive win

Colchester youngster Ben signs first Essex pro deal

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Perfect blend - Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club bowler Kieran Savill

Squad balance is key for Savill

Colchester and East Essex cricket Joe Macgregor

High praise for century-maker Joe

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