AN all-round display of high quality by Greg De Silva helped Colchester and East Essex successfully begin their Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division campaign.

Colchester beat Woodford Wells by 64 runs at Castle Park to give them the best possible start to what is expected to be a tricky season.

Woodford Wells won the toss and decided to bowl first, but the early dismissal of Omar Ahmed for 2 failed to justify their choice.

The Australian pair of Julian Russell and Nathan O’Brien gave Colchester the start they needed, taking them to 121 when Russell, who has begun the season in typically run-hungry form, was out for 60 – an innings including ten fours and a six.

De Silva joined O’Brien and they added 50 until O’Brien was on his way for 63.

However, at this stage, Colchester were 171 for 3 and were well set for a decent total.

With captain Andrew Kennedy eying up the boundary, he and De Silva added another 50 at a run a ball. De Silva was out one run shy of his half-century, but Kennedy continued to press, striking 42 off 47 balls, including three fours and a six.

Although Alex Young was unable to produce any late fireworks, Dhruva Bhaskar hit 22 off 16 balls to help Colchester post 267 for 6 from 50 overs.

An early Young wicket and a run-out left Woodford Wells lumbering at 29 for 2, but Rob Leiper (79) and Michael Richardson (30) produced a recovery which took them past the 50 partnership.

However, tight spells from the bustling Ben Stephens (10-0-34-1) and Nick Gibbs (8-0-32-1) swung the game in Colchester’s favour. And De Silva then confirmed his star man status for the day, taking for 4 for 33 from 9 overs to bowl Woodford Wells out, along with Kennedy, who took a wicket during a spell in which his radar went awry, bowling ten wides.

Wells were all out for 203, making it a comfortable victory in the end for Colchester.

In the Second XI division one, Colchester’s second string were beaten by four wickets at Harlow.

Colchester posted 193, with Simon Gilhooly top-scoring on 69. Harlow eased home, despite Neil Lenihan’s three wickets.