PLAYERS, members and old friends turned out in force for a special match at Chipping Sodbury on Monday in memory of Paul Reynolds who died last year at the age of 50.

Paul’s cricket career began at Sodbury, who put together a side of former team-mates for the game against Leinster who Paul served with distinction after moving to Dublin in 1995.

He made a towering contribution to the club, the Leinster Cricket Union and Cricket Ireland as a player, administrator and umpire who stood in some 50 internationals, the last of which was a T20 between Ireland and India in Dublin in August.

Leinster flew in over the weekend for the memorial match, Sodbury emerging narrow winners before the clouds once again opened over the Ridings.

Gazette Series: The Chipping Sodbury and Leinster teams line up before the Paul Reynolds memorial matchWet weather forced the cancellation of Sodbury’s opening WEPL Gloucestershire division clash, at Stroud, and also the 3rd XI’s home date against Golden Hill.

Sodbury 2nds struggled in wet conditions at the Ridings, succumbing to a 115-run setback against their Hatherley & Reddings counterparts.

But it was closer at Oldbury Court where Sodbury 4ths went down to a 21-run reverse in the Bristol & District League against Bristol Malayalee despite the remarkable efforts of David Wooton who, on debut, finished with fine figures of 6-31.

Malayalee were bowled out for 106 before Sodbury came up short, Bryan Jater (30) and Paul Nethercote (24) top scoring.

On Saturday, Sodbury’s first XI welcomed Corse & Staunton while the 4ths hosted Frenchay with the 2nds away to Cinderford St John and the 3rds travelling to Almondsbury.