Heavy rains washed out Colchester and East Essex's Shepherd Neame Essex League schedule.

But they didn't stop the Castle Park side returning from Southgate in Middlesex with a victory in the Cockspur National Knockout Trophy.

Both Colchester sides were due to face Brentwood and neither saw a player arrive at the ground, let alone a ball being bowled.

There was greater cheer on Sunday, though, as what was meant to be a home tie in the trophy, was switched away so the fixture could go ahead, as a waterlogged Castle Park attempted to dry out.

Colchester batted first in the 45-over contest, with Ben France and Julian Russell adding 91 for the first wicket.

France's patient approach (24 from 62 balls) contrasted with that of Russell (87 from 89 balls) who hit nine fours and a six in his fine innings.

He added a further 75 for the second wicket with Matthew Austin, who scored at an unusually fast rate of nearly a run a ball for his 68 not out.

His approach is never undervalued, however, as it is he who is the best at occupying the crease for Colchester and preventing the risk of a collapse.

Greg De Silva (27) and Tom George (20) added late runs to help Colchester post 267 for six.

Early inroads failed to arrive for Colchester and it wasn't until Andrew Kennedy and Alex Young replaced Andrew McGarry and Ben France that they started to get a grip on the game.

Kennedy (6-1-16-2), Young (4-0-20-2) and the returning Nick Gibbs (5-1-14-3) did most of the damage, while 16-year-old leg-spinner George Brown (9-0-33-2) mopped up the tail to see Colchester win by 104 runs.