CHIPPING Sodbury suffered a frustrating 18-run defeat in their latest West of England Premier League Gloucestershire Divison outing, at home to Bourton Vale.

The visitors , who lost the toss, were on the ropes at 86-5 before opener Charlie Garratt (109) and Ryan Newhook (70) turned the innings around and ensured a recovery to 227-7 from their 50 overs.

The two men, in fact, were the only Bourton batsmen to reach double figures as pace bowler Mason Poole finished with 3-49 from ten, while there was a fine spell from Dan Brown who claimed 1-20, also from ten.

Sodbury, in reply, lost wickets at regular intervals and were staring down the barrel at 50-6 before stand-in skipper Phil Lill and Poole, at number eight, threatened an upset.

The pair put on 120 before Poole perished, for 42. But Lill soldiered on and was eventually last man out for an excellent 76 as Sodbury came up just short.

Sodbury 2nds, though, continued their fine recent form with a tremendous 52-run derby triumph away to local rivals Thornbury in Division Two of the Gloucestershire County League.

The visitors, who lost the toss, reached 258-7 thanks mainly to opener Tom Febry who top scored on 117 off 133 balls (13 fours and a six) with Chris Young and Sam Vile both scoring 23.

Thornbury were then reined in by a fine team effort in the field with Tom Clay (0-17 from nine), Reece Packer (1-19 from six), Harry Phillips (2-18 from six), Charlie Walker (1-28), Jay Penfold (2-22) and teenager Ed Holden (2-37) all contributing.

There was disappointment for Sodbury 3rds who succumbed by four wickets at home to local rivals Coalpit Heath 2nds in Division Seven of the Bristol & District League.

Mark Graham (54) and James Millett (42) shone in Sodbury’s 215 but despite Jamie Pearson claiming 2-30 from nine and his father, Mike, taking 2-34, Heath eased in with a bit to spare.

It was a tough day too for the fourths who suffered a seven-wicket reverse to powerful leaders Stanton Drew in Division 11.

Naomi Forecast (38) and Jack Banks (25 not) top scored in a challenge of 116 before Drew coasted to the points.