CHIPPING Sodbury find themselves fifth at the halfway stage of the season following a disappointing five-wicket home setback against promotion hopefuls Corse and Staunton.

Sodbury, who won the toss, were bowled out for a below par 128, John Rendell (41) the only player to establish himself at the crease.

And Corse comfortably chased down their modest target to go second in Division One of the Gloucestershire County League.

Sodbury seconds, meanwhile, missed out by only eight runs in a high-scoring contest away to runaway leaders Thornbury seconds in Division Two.

The home side rattled up 294-5 from their 45 thanks to contributions from David Hammond (69), Andy Weeks (57 not) and James Tunnicliffe (44).

But Sodbury came within touching distance of a famous win – and inflicting a first reverse of the campaign on their local rivals – thanks to a fine 104 off 97 balls from opener Matt Webb.

Jacob Havard (48) also helped keep Sodbury in touch while there was a breezy 32 from Richard Wood and an unbeaten 38 from Lee Walters as Alex Allen (4-61) slowed up the scoring rate in the final overs.

Sodbury thirds boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop from Bristol and District League Division Seven with an excellent four-wicket home success over Bristol Pakistanis seconds.

Dan Whittaker (4-30), Oli Sayer (3-48) and skipper Charlie Walker (2-26) all helped peg their visitors back to 199 before Sam Makepeace (57 off 36 balls) led Sodbury over the line for their second win of the summer.

It was a terrific day too for Sodbury fourths who completed a seven-run victory away to Frampton thirds in Division 15.

Sodbury’s total of 228 included Neil Barrett’s 52 and a fine 47 from Naomi Forecast.

And it was then the turn of the Wilson family to share the new ball and take centre stage, Emily becoming the first female cricketer in Sodbury’s 158-year history to take a hat-trick en route to figures of 4-41 while younger brother Tom also claimed two victims.