Colchester and East Essex captain Jake Foley labelled his side’s three-wicket triumph over Ilford as “massive” after they boosted their survival chances.

Darren Eckford finished unbeaten on 63 to help guide the hosts to a vital victory at Castle Park, in their battle to remain in the Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division.

Jack Hebron (4-43) claimed four wickets as Ilford were dismissed for 154, with Colchester’s target reduced to 149 in 39 overs following rain.

And despite a shaky start in reply, the bottom team managed to score the required runs to claim a crucial 20 points.

Foley said: “It was a great win for us and we all knew how important it was.

“It was a massive 20 points for us.

“After winning the toss and bowling first, we knew that if there was rain and it got shortened it would go in our favour and that’s what happened.

“Our scorer Phil was explaining what was happening and we knew that when the rain came, the number of wickets lost would be important.

“We got a wicket with the last ball before we went off and we knew when we got them out, the run target would be less than they got.”

Hebron caught the eye with his four wickets but all of Colchester’s bowlers were in good form against Ilford.

“Darren Eckford and Ben Stephens opened up well and both took wickets to put them on the back foot,” said Foley, who claimed 2-9 in his 2.4 overs.

“And then Ollie Bocking and Jack Hebron bowled really well in partnership.

“Jack got four wickets and was excellent and Ollie bowled really well at the other end too without getting the rewards that he deserved.”

Colchester openers Greg DeSilva and Joe MacGregor were both out for 0, two of five players to be out for ducks in their innings.

But Ollie Lovejoy (45) helped to steady the ship, before Eckford and Ollie Bocking (16 not out) saw Colchester home.

Foley added: “We lost two wickets in the first over which wasn’t ideal.

“But we always felt confident and knew that we had to score 149 to win.

“Even when we were on 36-6 and it looked unlikely, we knew we had players who could score the runs we needed to win.

“Ollie Lovejoy and Darren Eckford batted very well together and even when Ollie Lovejoy went, Ollie Bocking came in and did well, too.

“Darren and Ollie got us over the line and it was a good feeling to win.”

Colchester II (105-1) beat Ilford II (104) by nine wickets, in the second XI premier division.

Andrew Kennedy claimed 4-26, while Simon Fernandes (50 no) and Adnan Hashmi (40) were in fine form.