CHIPPING Sodbury ended a tremendous first season back in the Gloucester Premier League by sealing fifth place after beating North Bristol.

Club president Ian Aldous said: “This has been a stellar year for CSRFC both on and off the pitch.

“I look forward to next season and wish each of our departing young men every success.”

They amassed 13 bonus points during a campaign where they played with a swagger and a willingness to express themselves.

In securing Saturday’s try-scoring bonus point, Sodbury didn’t have it all their own way.

North Bristol had obviously come to compete and secure the double over Sodbury for the season.

The opening 10 minutes were all spent in the Sodbury half, as North controlled the game, largely through their full back’s boot and dangerous running.

Sodbury, to their credit, didn’t panic or lose their composure as they stuck to the game plan.

Finally, Sodbury crept downfield into North Bristol’s half.

Sodbury’s strike-runners in the shape of Phil Player, Pete Butcher and Joe Horton played an essential role in penetrating North Bristol’s defence.

Sodbury formed a lineout on North’s 22-metre line after 15 minutes and they sent up Player at the back so as not to get bogged down.

Quick ball was given to Horton, who smashed into the tacklers, managing to stay on his feet despite the attention of three of North’s finest.

His fortitude gave the support vital seconds, with first responder Ryan Halford taking the pass and barging over for the opening try, which Dan Bradley converted.

Five minutes later, Bradley reached into a ruck and secured one of Sodbury’s eight turnovers in the match.

Horton and Butcher toyed with the defence until giving the ball to Halford. He noticed Matt Cook, who accepted the pass and the try was a formality.

Immediately from the restart, Horton was off again on a 50-metre run which run put Sodbury back in the red zone.

Prop Lee Ralph was in support and Jake Lewis was on hand to receive the ball just inside the 22.

Lewis bamboozled North’s defence and romped past two tackles for the try that Bradley converted.

North Bristol then enjoyed a period where they controlled the game once more and scored a penalty from 20 metres.

However, it was left to the Sodbury forwards to provide the bonus point.

From a five-metre lineout, Player was once again thrown skyward. The ball was then meant for Ralph but he was caught flat-footed.

Cook was alert enough to fill the gap and burst over for a much-celebrated second try.

The second half was extraordinary for a number of reasons.

Firstly, there was no score from either side and Sodbury also dropped three scoring passes.

The joy of the victory and the highest league finish in Sodbury’s history was tempered with a little sadness as members of the team move on.

Respected coach Sean ‘Reg’ Hodges has called time on his stewardship, leaving Sodbury in rude health.