Chipping Sodbury 216-8 lost to Woodmancote 217-5 by five wickets
CHIPPING Sodbury made a disappointing start to the new league season with a five-wicket defeat in their opening fixture of the West of England Premier League’s Gloucester Division at Woodmancote.
Chipping Sodbury, who lost the toss, were put into bat by Woodmancote and amassed 216-8 from their 50 overs with a number of players, led by Craig Scully (37), opener Jake Reed (29) and Mason Poole (28), making solid starts to their innings but proving unable to push on and make the big individual scores that were required from them.
The Sodbury tail wagged a bit with Ben Waldron hitting 25, including a six, at number nine.
Jay Penfold then gave Sodbury the perfect start by claiming an early Woodmancote wicket, but the hosts nailed down the win with seven overs to spare, despite the efforts of Sodbury bowler Nick Wake (3-39 from ten).
Sodbury will be hoping for a stronger performance on Saturday when they host newly-promoted Cheltenham Civil Service at The Ridings.
Sodbury Seconds came unstuck by eight wickets at home to Biddestone in the WEPL Glos & Wiltshire Division after being bowled out for 82, Ben Makepeace top scoring on 33.
Next up for Jerry Swatton’s young side is a trip on Saturday to Winsley.
Dan Morgan could not have tried any harder to inspire Sodbury Thirds, hitting an unbeaten half-century and taking 5-36 from 12 overs at home to Pucklechurch, who secured a 41-run win in Division Three of the Bristol and District League.
The Thirds travel to Coombe Dingle on Saturday to face Bristol University Staff.
Sodbury Fourths enjoyed a five-wicket win in Division Nine over Bristol Lions.
Harry Phillips was the star bowler with a return of 5-22 from eight as the Lions were restricted to 185-8, while Richard Wood (55) and Naomi Forecast (43) then shone with the bat as Sodbury reached their target with four overs to spare.
The Fourths will be away to Carsons Mangotsfield on Saturday.
Sodbury Fifths, who are in Division Ten, struggled to 43 all out at home to Coalpit Heath Thirds, Ali Scott (11) top scoring. The visitors edged to a seven-wicket win, Jamie Pearson taking 2-18.
They will be hoping for better luck on Saturday when they are away to Bristol United Banks at Blaise Castle.