CHIPPING Sodbury are facing a real battle to preserve their hard-earned place in the WEPL’s Glos and Wilts Division after being defeated by 37 runs at home by Gloucester City Winget.

The home side, needing 264, were in good shape at 118-1 thanks to solid work from skipper Bryan Jater (24) and Jamie Rendell (26) in support of opener Jamie Wakefield, who went on to top score with 83.

But wickets started to fall and the run rate increased as Sodbury fell frustratingly short to remain bottom of the table, albeit only a point away from Westbury, who visit the Ridings on August 9.

Next up though for Sodbury are in-form leaders Lechlade as the last month of the season gets underway.

There was better news for the seconds who triumphed by 23 runs away to Hatherley and Reddings to remain second in the Glos and Wilts Division.

The visitors reached 236-3 before restricting their opposition to 213.

Sodbury thirds, to their great frustration, were left without a game when Kingsweston Old Elizabethans were unable to raise a side for an important Bristol and District Division Four clash.

The result means Sodbury are now a further five points behind leaders Bristol Civil Service, who they meet in a potentially crucial clash on August 16.

In Division Ten, Sodbury fourths remain in fourth place despite securing a comfortable seven-wicket win away to Patchway seconds.

The fifths, meanwhile, extended their lead at the top of Division 11 thanks to an eight-wicket derby win away to Frampton Cotterell thirds.

Frampton were bowled out for 159 before Sodbury clinched another maximum points success thanks to Mark Graham (83) and Chris Young (57*).

Sodbury firsts are on Saturday away to leaders Lechlade, while the seconds welcome Trowbridge.

The thirds return to action with an away trip to Almondsbury seconds, the fourths entertain their Winterbourne counterparts in another local derby while the fifths host Stoke Gifford seconds.