CHIPPING Sodbury are up to third in the West of England Premier League's Gloucestershire division thanks to a fine team display which clinched a four-wicket home triumph against Bourton Vale.

Vale, who lost the toss, battled their way to a total of 175 thanks to the combined efforts of seamers Mason Poole, who finished with figures of 1-22 from ten overs and Jay Penfold, who took 1-38 also from ten overs.

Meanwhile Ben Waldron, whose figures were 2-17 from seven overs, also made an impression, as did Craig Scully with three fine catches in the slips.

Skipper Jamie Rendell introduced himself to the attack late on and captured 4-18 from five overs to ensure the visitors’ tail did not wag.

Sodbury then made slow but steady progress with the bat with opener John Rendell (22) and Scully (23) putting down a platform which New Zealander Phil Lill, with 36, built on that solid base.

It was then left to Jamie Rendell (28) and Poole (25) to share an unbroken stand of 65 to wrap up a second win of the summer for Sodbury who travel to bottom side Lydney on Saturday.

Sodbury seconds, meanwhile, are second in Division Two of the Gloucestershire County League after suffering a twenty run reverse away to local rivals Rockhampton.

There were two wickets apiece for James Hicks and Darren Bell as the Rams were pegged back to 202-9.

The visitors were in good shape early on thanks to Lee Walters (28) and Tom Makepeace (30) while Hicks contributed 50.

But Adam Febry (21) was left high and dry as wickets tumbled around him in the midst of Sodbury’s first setback of the campaign.

It was a tough day too for Sodbury thirds who went down by eight wickets away to Bristol United Banks in Division Seven of the Bristol and District League.

Charlie Ross dominated the visitors’ total of 158 with seventy at the top of the order while Rob Higgs also contributed 35.

But Banks cruised to their target in less than 24 overs.

It was a better day for Sodbury fourths who opened their account in Division 11 with a three-wicket home triumph against local rivals Pucklechurch.

Sam Vile hit 69 while Jamie Pearson (44) and Dave Marshall (42) also hit out in an imposing total of 233-7.

Pucklechurch made a brave attempt at a victory charge but skipper Andy Frankcom (65 not out) ran out of support as Dave Gorman, Chris Latham, Ed Holden and Ross Womack all captured two wickets apiece.

Sodbury fifths, meanwhile, made it four from four to stay top of Division 16 but it could not have been any tighter against Twyford House thirds at Hillesley.

The visitors dug in to reach 139-9 as under-17 seamers Matt Walters (3-14) and Mike Holden (2-16) benefitted from accurate spells by Dan Morgan (1-13 and Craig Hambly (1-14, both from eight overs) along with a terrific four-over spell from Chris Young which cost only five runs.

Sodbury, in reply, lost a flurry of early wickets but 16-year-old Jake Kirkham responded with a maiden half century to hold the innings together, setting the scene for Dave Harvey to clinch a one-wicket victory with a six with only four balls to spare.