CHELMSFORD Cricket Club were undone by a very good bowling performance as they bid for Essex League T20 glory.

The club despatched Hornchurch in their semi-final but were then beaten by Colchester & East Essex after their Premier Division rivals turned on the style with the ball to win by 37 runs.

Colchester went hard from the start but stumbled to 35-4 until some ill-disciplined bowling let Jack Hebron (65no) help take them to 149-6 from their 20 overs, with Ben Clifford taking 2-26.

Chelmsford’s reply started well but fell away as Henry Foster (3-14) removed top scorer Dan Hagen (21) Nick Prowting and Chelmsford skipper James Clifford.

The middle order never got going and Joe Austin picked up three wickets as Chelmsford finished on 112 all out.

The semi-final had seen Chelmsford’s superior fielding earn them an 11-run victory over Hornchurch. An unbeaten 82 from Prowting helped Chelmsford to 155-4, before Ben Clifford (3-18) helped restrict Hornchurch to 144 all out in reply.

Chelmsford’s disappointment at missing out on T20 glory was tempered by the first XI keeping their Premier Division title hopes alive with a 100-run win over South Woodford on Saturday.

The hosts were bowled out for 235 but then skittled South Woodford out for 135 to stay top of the table, seven points clear of Wanstead & Snaresbrook.

Chelmsford’s second XI travelled to South Woodford and returned with a five-wicket Premier Division win.

The hosts reached 185-7 from their 50 overs and Chelmsford posted a winning 186-5 in reply.

Phil Arnold bagged another century for the fourth XI as they defeated hosts Loughton by seven wickets.

Loughton reached 241-8 and the fourths replied with a winning 243-3.

But the third and fifth teams were slaughtered by Harlow.

The thirds went down by 87 runs at home to Harlow, who were bowled out for 202. But Chelmsford were bowled out for 115.

Things were even worse for the fifths in their Fourth XI Premier Division clash at Marigolds as they lost by 167 runs.

Their Harlow hosts reached 147-8 before despatching their visitors for 80 all out.

T RIPPON MID-ESSEX RESULTS: Premier Division: Bentley (289-9) beat Old Chelmsfordians (132) by 157 runs, Great Baddow (246-6) beat Hatfield Peverel (245) by 4 wickets Goresbrook (242-3) beat Little Baddow (239-9) by 7 wickets. Division 2: Havering-atte-Bower (181-8) beat Great Waltham (180-6) by 2 wickets, Rayleigh II (218-7) beat Little Waltham (215) by 3 wickets, Writtle (172-7) beat Rayleigh Fairview (171-9) by 3 wickets, Springfield II (242-8) beat South Weald (161) by 81 runs. Division 4: OCs II (255-5) beat Springfield III (207-7) by 48 runs, W Mortimer (259-7) beat Lt Baddow II (134) by 125 runs. Division 5: Sandon Sports (173-7) beat SOSEMT (169) by 3 wickets, Gt Waltham II (272-1) beat Havering AB II (251-7) by 21 runs, Galleywood (303-8) beat Brookweald II (151) by 152 runs. Division 6: Writtle II (161-5) beat Rayleigh Fairview II (160) by 5 wickets, Marconi (257-7) beat Ingatestone II (130) by 127 runs, Roxwell Blues (272-2) beat Lt Waltham II (250-9) by 22 runs. Division 7: Danbury (229-5) beat Great Wakering (228-4) by 5 wickets. Division 8: Hatfield Peverel II (65-2) beat Great Baddow III (63) by 8 wickets, Noak Hill Taverners II (175-2) beat Chignal (174) by 2 wickets. Division 11: Great Totham III (164-4) beat Little Baddow III (163) by 6 wickets, Great Baddow IV v Thurrock IV - Thurrock conceded to Great Baddow. Division 12: Old Chelmsfordians IV (202-5) beat Boreham II (87-9) by 105 runs, Galleywood III (265-6) beat Eastwood IV (217) by 48 runs.