SAFFRON Walden Cricket Club failed to end their run of poor form in the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division, on Saturday. Despite a heroic batting display from Josh Staines, who scored 68 runs off 65 balls, Walden lost by six wickets to Colcheste

SAFFRON Walden Cricket Club failed to end their run of poor form in the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division, on Saturday.

Despite a heroic batting display from Josh Staines, who scored 68 runs off 65 balls, Walden lost by six wickets to Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club.

Captain Joe Holland said: "We were very disappointed not to get a result. It's never nice to lose.

"We had hoped to turn the bad form around, but it was another week of misery.

"I can't put my finger on why we lost. We went into the game with a good attitude and we never gave up. Our batting let us down, and that is usually our strong point."

He added: "There are positives I can take from the game. We were good in the field and Adrian bowled quickly."

Playing away from home, Walden won the toss and decided to bat first, but that is where their good luck ended and opening batsman Ryan Sparrow was bowled for a duck.

Ray Mordini (23), Giles Ecclestone (13) and captain Joe Holland (14), all managed to put runs on the board, but some good bowling from the home team kept Walden at bay.

Big hitting from Josh Staines, who smashed 15 fours in his innings, was the only player who looked like taking the game to the home side.

Unable to form a substantial partnership, the Walden tail fell cheaply and they finished all out for 163 runs after 37 overs.

Jack Ford faced four balls, hit a four and then was run out by Ryan Savill. Simon Parmenter managed to stand his ground for a while and scored 12 runs before being bowled by Graham Napier.

Staines was also caught off a delivery from Napier, who took three wickets in total, but the pick of the bowlers was Joe Austin, taking four wickets in eight overs and conceding only 35 runs.

Colchester and East Essex dropped only four wickets on their way to reaching Walden's total, with opening batsman Julian Russell making 78 runs. Hitting 15 fours and a six at a rate of just over a run a ball, he was the home side's standout batsman.

Walden's bowling failed to cause much of a problem to the Colchester side and it took them 27.4 overs to reach a winning score of 167 runs.

Adrian McCoubrey was Walden's best bowler taking three wickets from 10 overs. Ryan Sparrow also took a wicket.

For the home side, Matt Austin batted well and finished on 32 not out, also Graham Napier scored a quick fire 19 including two sixes and a four.

The umpires were Stewart Orrock and Roy Saunders.

On Saturday Saffron Walden host Ardleigh Green, 11.30am start.

Captain Holland is confident his side can get to winning ways.

"I am confident we can get a result," he said.

"If we win our next four games, I still think we can win the league.