Chipping Sodbury Under 11 duo Henry Rendell and Jack Gray made winning debuts for the Stroud and South Gloucestershire (SSG) district side in a friendly match against their Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire counterparts hosted at The Ridings on Sunday.

Batting first in the sunshine, SSG posted an impressive total of 246-3 from 30 overs with Rendell reaching his first ever hundred in the final over of the innings. He faced 74 balls in total and hit 17 fours and two sixes - including one off the first ball of the match which rattled the club flagpole!

A good crowd was pitch side with team-mates to applaud his knock and he was left unbeaten on 108 at the close.

The Forest of Dean side made a strong start in reply but SSG kept them in check and took wickets at regular intervals to help stem the flow of runs with Gray playing behind the stumps as wicketkeeper.

In the end, Forest of Dean finished with a total of 110-8 from their 30 overs in a match played in good spirit.

Sodbury Under 11s have got off to a flying start in their rearranged Bristol Youth Cricket League friendly Express under 11 mini league with three solid wins on the bounce against Hambrook, Hanham and Rockhampton with all the team making key contributions along the way.

The Under 11 super 8s side have also recorded wins as the club’s youth teams continue to expand and improve.