CHIPPING Sodbury boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop from the WEPL's Glos and Wilts division with a crucial three-wicket home win against relegation rivals Chippenham.

Left-armer Chris Willoughby (4-31 from ten overs) led the charge while Jamie Wakefield marked his return to the side from injury with a return of 3-22 as Chippenham were restricted to 210 all out.

Skipper Bryan Jater (74) and Jamie Rendell (63) then gave Sodbury the start they needed, paving the way for a much-needed win.

Sodbury seconds made it a double over Chippenham with a 111-run victory to stay second in their division.

Star performer was teenage opener Will Christfi, who anchored his side’s total of 255-4 with a cultured unbeaten 105.

James Newman hammered 68 for the visitors, whose bowling attack then tore into the Chippenham line-up, Darren Bell (3-22 from nine), Jay Penfold (2-14 from nine) and Jarrod Campling (2-34) all making inroads.

Chipping Sodbury thirds, meanwhile, remain well in contention for promotion from Division Four of the Bristol and District League thanks to a hard-earned two-wicket home win against Taveners.

Kriss Hemming (4-32 from12), spinner Jacob Havard (3-40) and Jamie Pearson (2-29 from 11) restricted the visitors to 149-9.

And Sodbury then needed an innings of real quality from Mike Pearson, Jamie’s father, to get over the line.

While wickets tumbled around him, Pearson Senior held his side together with an unbeaten 94 to bring up victory with 11 balls to spare.

Only one other man – skipper Chris Young (18) - reached double figures for the home outfit.

It was not such a good day for Sodbury fourths, who slipped to a 50-run setback in Division Ten away to Twyford House thirds.

Sodbury fifths were left without a fixture when Hallen seconds were unable to raise a side.

This weekend, Sodbury’s firsts are away to Warminster with the seconds entertaining title rivals Potterne.

Sodbury thirds are away to Bishop Sutton, the fourths bid to get back on the winning trail at home to Abbots Leigh seconds, and the fifths welcome Bishopston fourths.

The club are also in action on Sunday, away to Frocester in the quarter-finals of the Gloucestershire Cup.