RUN machine Bella Johnson has made history after smashing TWO centuries in the space of one weekend.

The talented 16-year-old scored an unbeaten 101 for her men's team Chappel and Wakes Colne seconds, becoming the first female to score a century for the club.

It helped them to a 17-run victory over Maldon III, in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division seven.

It was Bella's first men's league century and 24 hours later, she hit 126 off 112 balls for Colchester and East Essex women's first XI in their win over Harold Wood.

Only a fortnight earlier, Bella made 109 not out for Colchester against Wanstead women and has hit more than 500 runs already this season.

She has scored three centuries in the space of two weeks and it has been a blistering first half of the campaign for the talented teenager, who is currently undertaking her GCSE exams.

 

Colchester and East Essex Women's captain Natalie Samaranayake said: "To score over 500 runs at this stage of the season is an awesome feat and to do it at such a young age against much older, more experienced players makes it even more special.

"It has been great to see Bella progress over the years and the whole team are behind her in carrying on that journey."

Bella has played for Chappel and Wakes Colne since the age of six.

She was quickly picked up by the club's Juniors lead coach and after county trials, was selected for Essex under-11s at the age of just eight.

Bella is currently the youngest player in the Women’s Essex Elite Programme and has played for the women’s first XI in every fixture so far, this year.

For the past two years, she has also been part of the Sunrisers Regional Emerging Player Programme, as one of the highest potential players in the region.

Chappel and Wakes Colne have been hugely supportive of women and girls' cricket and Bella isn’t the only female star of the club.

Emily Eves is the wicket-keeper for the same men’s league team and is currently the Two Counties Championship's top-ranked victim taker.

She claimed three catches behind the stumps in the same match on Saturday and another for Colchester and East Essex ladies, on Sunday.

Chappel and Wakes Colne is committed to supporting their women and girls' players and is hugely proud of the girls' success, last weekend.

Bella's century for Colchester was part of a 192-run partnership with Clare Heywood (71) that saw them reach 324 for four against last year's Essex Women's Premier League winners, Harold Wood.

Heywood was amongst the wickets with two along with new signing Eve Joseph to bowl the opposition out for 172, leaving Colchester top of the table.

Bella will be hoping to score more runs for Colchester when they host Hutton at Castle Park, on Sunday while Chappel and Wakes Colne visit Haverhill, on Saturday.