COLCHESTER and East Essex Cricket Club bowler Kieran Savill believes the balance that currently exists within their squad has strengthened their promotion credentials, this season.

Darren Eckford’s table-topping side travel to Hutton tomorrow, hoping to reinforce their Shepherd Neame Essex League division one title prospects.

Colchester will go into the contest in confident mood, following an excellent six-wicket triumph over Harold Wood last weekend.

Colchester currently sit 18 points clear of second-placed Fives and Heronians at the top of the table – and long-serving Savill says there some good vibes at Castle Park.

Savill said: “It’s great to have a side where everyone knows their roles and there are no egos, so it’s a really good mix at the moment.

“We’ve had quite a settled side over the last few games, with guys coming back from Uni and school.

“We’re blessed with the depth we have, in terms of our all-rounders.

“It’s been good to contribute, especially as I’m now one of the older heads in the changing room.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch the younger players like Joe MacGregor, Harry McBrearty and Simon Fernandes mature.

“One of the good things about us this season is that we never get desperate in match situations and we always back ourselves.

“We hold our nerve in vital moments in games and that’s been important.”

Colchester are currently embarking on a crucial run of fixtures against sides who are currently just below them in the table.

After facing fourth-placed Hutton tomorrow, they face games against fellow top-five sides Fives and Heroians and Shenfield in quick succession which will go a long way to determining their fate, this season.

Savill added: “It’s in our hands – the Harold Wood game was the first of four matches in a row where we are playing sides also in the top five.

“We see it as a chance to not only get the win but also knock them out of the race for promotion but we won’t be underestimating the size of the task in front of us.

“Winning is a habit and we want to keep it going.

“It’s another tough game for us against Hutton – it’s a good pitch there and a small ground.

“We’re where we want to be and we have games coming up where we can take points off the teams around us.”