COLCHESTER and East Essex hero Ben Stephens says he made his experience count after his outstanding bowling display helped his side see off Woodford Wells.

The long-serving bowler claimed outstanding figures of 5-27 in his ten-over spell at Castle Park, helping the hosts record their third win on the bounce to consolidate second spot in Shepherd Neame Essex League division one.

Stephens’ exploits helped Colchester claim a comprehensive 162-run triumph and the former first XI skipper says after returning from a troublesome back injury, he is feeling good.

Stephens said: “It was a very good wicket and I just tried to be boring!

“As you get older, you get a bit wiser and I just stuck to that.

“I’m just trying to be Mr Consistent at the moment.

“I’m getting fitter, for sure.

“I’m probably only operating at around 70 per cent at the moment but hopefully, that will increase.

“I still have pain in my lower back, after rupturing a disc lifting a television at home.

“It’s taken a year to get back but now I’m feeling good being out there and taking wickets.”

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Colchester made a terrible start to the match.

The hosts lost top-three batsmen Jake Foley, Kieran Dale and Jack Crace for a combined total of two runs, to leave them teetering on ten for three.

But a superb fourth-wicket partnership worth 116 runs between Ollie Lovejoy (112) and Jack Hebron (61) turned things in Colchester’s favour.

It enabled them to eventually post a total of 260 for eight, with Denson Narayan (41) also making a significant contribution.

In reply, Woodford Wells had no answer to Colchester’s bowling attack, with the visitors’ batsmen left shell-shocked.

Stephens led the way with his superb bowling and Darren Eckford (3-18) also made a big contribution, as Woodford Wells were dismissed for 98 inside 29 overs, with only three of their batsman managing to make it into double figures.

Colchester’s second team (232 for seven) suffered a narrow 12-run defeat at Upminster II (244-4), in their latest Second XI premier division match.