Chipping Sodbury 1st XV – 57

Longlevens 1st XV – 7

Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club have been promoted as champions and will compete at the highest level of rugby it has ever achieved next season.

The side achieved their historic promotion in style, by scoring 57 points in a one-sided affair against Longlevens at the Ridings.

Despite the margin of defeat, the visitors made the first 25 minutes very uncomfortable for the hosts and even scored the first try of the game.

Sodbury got a valuable penalty and their first try came from Gavin Edgar. Just five minutes later, on the back of the powerful running of Jack Skelton, Sodbury were awarded another penalty. At the ensuing five-metre lineout, the safe hands of Steve Hopes were trusted with securing the ball which was moved backwards to Dave Guest as the pack rumbled over and he touched down.

Edgar got his second before half time to make the score at the break 19-7.

Sodbury scored again just two minutes into the second half through Horton.

There was a ten-minute break in the scoring but when it came it took the form of a hat-trick for Edgar. After some wonderful, balanced running from Bradley and Horton, Edgar covered the remaining 40 metres to go under the posts.

Further five-pointers came from Skelton, a fourth for Edgar, a Bradley brace and the final try went to Jon Cook after a tapped penalty and another long pass to seal promotion and trigger an evening of celebration.