COLCHESTER & East Essex captain Andrew Kennedy has branded his side’s shock weekend defeat as their “poorest performance of the season”.

The Castle Park side’s Shepherd Neame Essex League first XI premier division title hopes were dealt a severe and unexpected blow at the hands of South Woodford, losing by 125 runs.

The hosts made 280 from their 50 overs, before bowling Colchester out for 155 inside 42 overs.

Kennedy admitted his side had a bad day at the office.

“We simply should have done better,” he said.

“We really let ourselves down all over the field and were shocking.

“We’ve really felt the pain from this defeat.

“I think the opposition just shocked us.

“We were completely outplayed and fully deserved the loss, but it came out of nowhere because we’d been in good form.”

Ollie Bocking and Harry Bush both returned a couple of wickets each, while the latter top-scored with 35.

Despite the setback, Kennedy is staying upbeat and believes his side can get back to winning ways and finish near the top of the table.

“We would need results to really go our way and probably six straight wins to have any real chance of being champions,” he said.

“It is possible, though, and I’d never rule it out.

“However, we’re just concentrating on bouncing back now and finishing in the best position we can.”

In contrast to the first team, Colchester’s second team celebrated a thumping victory against South Woodford.

They won by ten wickets in the second XI premier division contest at Castle Park.

Six home players took a wicket apiece as South Woodford batted first and finished on 153 for seven.

In reply, Colchester cruised home without losing a wicket as Sam Foster smashed 82 and Caspar Everett 64.

Colchester’s third team lost by 93 runs in their third XI division one contest at Hornchurch.

Jordan Milburn took a couple of wickets as the hosts batted first and declared on 260 for three.

In reply, Colchester could only manage 167.

Oliver Hills top-scored with 29 and Joe MacGregor contributed 28.