CHIPPING Sodbury moved to the top of the WEPL’s Gloucestershire division thanks to a superb victory away to Lydney which owed much to the spinning skills of Phil Lill and skipper Jamie Rendell.

Rain reduced proceedings to a 30-over per side affair with Sodbury, who lost the toss, battling their way to total 117.

Former skipper Craig Scully top scored on 20 while Rendell (19) and Tom Nightingale (17) also got starts in difficult conditions while the extras column added up to 19, including 12 wides.

Lydney, who began the day in last place, made a strong start to their reply and were in very good shape at 76-2 thanks to opener Jon Kear (29) and Wayne Whitson (16).

But Whitson was bowled by returning experienced campaigner Jay Penfold while Lill made a huge breakthrough when he caught and bowled Kear.

New Zealander Lill, in tandem with Rendell, then ripped through the Lydney innings as the home side folded to 88 all out.

Lill finished with the remarkable figures of 5-5 from four while Rendell bagged 2-12 from six, backed by some superb catching, particularly from wicketkeeper John Rendell and Scully, who held on to three and two efforts, respectively.

A fine team effort was rewarded with a 29-run success for Sodbury who now welcome Tewkesbury to the Ridings on Saturday.

Sodbury 2nds’ home date in the Gloucestershire County League against Dumbleton fell victim to the weather but Sodbury 3rds’ home date with Patchway, in Division Seven of the Bristol & District League, was able to proceed.

Steve Febry’s side were restricted to 160-9 after losing the toss, opener Charlie Ross again impressing with 32 while there were late runs from tailenders Tom Clay (27 not) and Febry (20 not).

A heavy downpour led to Patchway being set a revised target of 107 from 30 overs, and the visitors got over the line despite the efforts of Dan Morgan (2-28 from six), Mark Graham (1-19 from six) and Mike Pearson (1-22 from five).

There was a double dose of bad luck for Sodbury 4ths. Long Ashton 2nds were unable to raise a side for their scheduled league match while the weather then prevented any play in a hastily arranged friendly away to Thornbury 4ths.

Sodbury 5ths, though, were in action in Division 16 away to Bohemians 3rds where the visitors were edged out by three wickets.

Dave Marshall top scored with a battling 60 as Sodbury edged their way to a total of 127-9, opener James Millett (15) the only other player to reach double figures against a tight attack.

A heavy shower then led to an hour’s delay before Bohs began chipping away at their target.

Sodbury bowled accurately, led by Chris Young (3-22 from eight), Alex Cumming (1-16 from eight) and Brad Hughes who marked his first game in two seasons with 1-29, also from eight.

Naomi Forecast held on to two catches as Matt Walters and Dan Whittaker also put the squeeze on with fine spells, but Bohs secured the win with 15 balls to spare.