COLCHESTER and East Essex are still searching for their first win of the new Hamro Foundation Essex League premier division season after losing to Brentwood, at Castle Park.

After skipper Darren Eckford won the toss and electing to field first, the home side struggled to make inroads on the visitors' attack.

Brentwood's openers Aaron West (52) and Eddie Ballard (40) made 71 for the opening wicket, before Ballard was caught by Charlie Watts off the bowling of Oliver Hills (2/34).

West put on a further 50 runs for the second wicket with Will Buttleman (65).

And even when West was dismissed by Hills, caught by Jack Hobbs, the visitors were in a commanding position on 121 for two.

Buttleman teamed up with former Colchester batsman Jack Hebron (22 not out) to add a further 75 to the tally.

Buttleman eventually fell to Dan Thacker's (1/39) bowling, as Brentwood finished on 196 for three off their 36 overs.

In reply, Colchester found themselves in trouble straight away when Feroze Ahmed went for a duck.

And when fellow opener Joe MacGregor departed soon after for four to leave them on two for 15, the hosts were struggling.

Wicket-keeper Simon Fernandes (50) and new recruit Dan Wolf (18) made a game of it and put on 34 for the third wicket.

And when Wolf departed and Charlie Fernandes quickly followed him back into the clubhouse, Jack Hobbs (23) took up the battle at the crease with Fernandes.

But once Hobbs went, wickets fell at relatively regular intervals and Colchester were eventually dismissed for 133 in 34.4 overs, to lose by 63 runs.

Colchester will be hoping to bounce back this Saturday when they host Hornchurch at Castle Park, 12.30pm start.

Colchester II also suffered defeat in their second XI division two match with South Woodford.

Batting first, Colchester made 140 for four with opener Adnan Hashmi top scoring for them with 52.

Luke Cruz (42) and Omar Ahmed (30 not out) also contributed.

South Woodford reached their target for the loss of five wickets, with Akshay Lonkar the pick of Colchester's bowlers with 3/20.

Colchester and East Essex Sun Bears Ladies were involved in a thrilling tie at Mistley Ladies, in their latest Beaumont Seymour T20 League game.

Colchester made 104 for two, with Emily Eves top scoring with 27 and Toni-Anne Wayne (26) and Kiri Samaranayake (22) also contributing.

Player of the match was Eves claimed 2/14 as Colchester just missed out on victory, with Mistley finishing up on 104 for five in an exciting finish.