IF the opening two weeks of the season are anything to go by, Colchester and East Essex have nothing to worry about this summer.

Andrew Kennedy's side have now beaten Hadleigh and Thundersley and Gidea Park and Romford in the Shepherd Neame Essex League Cup as they go in search of silverware.

While still shorn of their first-choice team and not quite firing at their best, Colchester eased past Gidea Park at Castle Park on Saturday, with a performance which suggests they are a side which should be feared in the premier division this season, rather than them fearing anyone else.

Colchester had the luxury of being able to call on Essex star Graham Napier, who is recovering from a knee problem which has kept him out of the county frame in the last few weeks.

Batting first, the home side never looked like making a huge total on a slow pitch offering assistance to the seamers.

They reached 78 for four after 26 overs, with openers Julian Russell and Ben France back in the pavilion, along with Napier, who managed just two before being given out LBW.

However, Australian Geoff Ponting joined captain Kennedy and the firework diaplay began.

Ponting struck three sixes in one over - including one which went out of the ground, clearing the trees and driveway on the other side and landing in adjacent area of Castle Park where the ball picked its way through a game of football before eventually being returned to its rightful arena.

The right-hander's penchant for the pull shot brought rewards as he top-scored with 58, while Kennedy began to deposit the ball into his favoured area - over the midwicket boundary.

After both fell in quick succession, Alex Young (19 not out) helped Colchester reach 190 for seven from their 45 overs.

Gidea Park had little answer to Colchester's opening attack of Napier and former Essex bowler Andrew McGarry.

Napier helped himself to four wickets and Nick Gibbs, who was in the wickets last week, was at it again, taking three, while McGarry also got in on the act as the visitors were 153 all out.

Colchester will now play Woodford Wells in the quarter-final on July 19.

Skipper Kennedy told the Gazette his side is showing great promise.

"We're not quite in top gear just yet, with the damp wickets making batting difficult.

"But our bowlers have been right on the mark and it looks as though Nick Gibbs is set to enjoy another fine summer.

"We haven't done very well in the cup in the last few years and we want to show we can win in all formats of the game so we will certainly be disappointed if we don't make it to the final."