A SUPERB innings from Tom Blundell helped Colchester and East Essex finally halt their losing run.

Blundell hit a magnificent 128 to steer Colchester to a 22-run win over fellow strugglers Buckhurst Hill, at Castle Park, in their Shepherd Neame Essex League First XI premier division match.

It enabled Colchester to end an eight-game losing streak in the division and give them their first win since the opening day of the season.

Colchester chairman Andrew Kennedy said: “It was a tight game that could have gone either way at one point.

“But we batted and bowled pretty well and it was great that Tom was able to go on and get a really good score.

“The win will give the team a lot of confidence, heading into two games against teams who are immediately above us.”

Colchester were put into bat by the visitors and captain Joe Barnett (32) helped give them a platform from which to work.

But it was Blundell’s innings which really set the hosts on their way.

And with important contributions too from Sam Weller (47) and Sam Foster (36 not out), Colchester were able to declare on 290 for seven.

Buckhurst Hill went about their run chase in positive fashion, with top-order batsmen Hendro Purchert (77) and Alexander Maskell (50) performing well.

Josh Peters (36) and Russell Beckett (26) kept the score ticking over but the visitors then found themselves blown away by Foster.

He claimed eye-catching figures of four for 28 in his 7.4 overs, removing four of Buckhurst Hill’s last five batters to secure Colchester an important win.