CHIPPING Sodbury continued to close the gap on the top two in the Gloucestershire County League Division One after producing an outstanding team effort to overcome Apperley by six wickets.

Skipper Jamie Rendell reined in the home side to 195-9 after they had the toss and decided to bat, finishing with terrific figures of 5-20.

And Tom Makepeace (65) and John Rendell (50) then dominated Sodbury’s reply with the visitors getting over the line to complete win number four with almost three overs to spare.

Sodbury seconds, meanwhile, ended a run of five successive defeats in Division Two, stunning Cinderford St Johns by six wickets.

Seamer Jack Philpott (3-25 from nine) and spinner Dan Brown (3-27 from eight) both shone while there were also tight opening spells from skipper Jay Penfold (0-19 from six) and Tom Clay (1-28 from eight) to restrict the visitors to 198-9.

Sodbury’s reply got off to the worst possible start, losing a wicket to the first ball.

But Chris Young (36) and Brown (46) steadied the ship before Mark Graham (37) and Simon Vooght (36) shared an unbroken stand of 82 to complete a morale-boasting victory.

Sodbury thirds battled hard in a three-wicket setback away to Bishopston thirds in Division Seven of the Bristol & District League.

Oli Sayer (31 not), Jason Thompson (27) and Andy Neal (24) made their mark in a challenge of 191-8. And it was almost enough, Mike Pearson capturing 3-34 from nine as Bish were made to work hard for the spoils.

Sodbury fourths, though, had a memorable day at home to Frampton Cotterell thirds in Division 15, dispatching their visitors by nine wickets.

Opener Deepak Sharma (103) dominated Frampton's total of 168-7, skipper Jamie Pearson (2-27), Tony Garton (1-22) along with Neil Barrett and Jack Banks (both 0-33, all from eight) all restricting the scoring rate.

Chairman Andy Shield was then introduced into the attack, claiming his first wicket of the new century, while there was also a return of 2-8 for Steve Hill.

The home side made light of their chase thanks mainly to Sam Makepeace who plundered an unbeaten 92 off 47 balls (six fours, nine sixes) and shared an unbroken stand of 147 with Hill (56 not) as victory was achieved in less than 21 overs.