SHANE O’Neil finished with fantastic figures of 7-34 from only seven overs as Chipping Sodbury eased past Bristol West Indian Phoenix by 98 runs in the first round of the Gloucestershire Trophy, writes Steve Hill.

Sodbury, who lost the toss at Gordon Road, got off to a solid start through openers Jake Reed (51) and Ben Ford (25) before James Luscombe (40), Ben Makepeace (61) and Nick Wake (38) all played their part in propelling the visitors to a challenging total of 252-7 from 40 overs.

The visitors then make early breakthroughs with the ball thanks to Ben Waldron and Jarrod Campling before O’Neil tore through the BWIP line-up to send Sodbury through to the next round.

Sodbury were delighted to get the win under their belts after being edged out by one agonising run the day before, at Redmarley in Division One of the Gloucestershire County League.

The home side battled to reach 120 all out, skipper Jamie Rendell the pick of the Sodbury attack with figures of 3-6 from nine tight overs of spin.

Batting was just as tricky for the visitors who chipped away at the target through Craig Scully (21) and Josh Morris (26) but the win proved to be just out of reach as the final wicket fell with only one ball remaining in this titanic struggle.

Sodbury 2nds slipped to a seven-wicket reverse at home to Frocester 3rds in Division Three despite skipper Bryan Jater’s unbeaten 55.

But it was a better day for Sodbury 3rds as Jake Kirkham produced his maiden century, finishing unbeaten on 111, to help set up a 197-run home win over Alveston in Division Eight of the Bristol & District League.

Matt Webb (64) and Chris Meredith (52) set the tone with a lively opening stand for Sodbury before Kirkham walloped nine fours and four sixes to reach a deserved first ton and help elevate his side to an imposing 296-6 off 45.

Alveston, in reply, were always on the back foot with Isaac Havard (4-3) tidying up the tail after good work earlier from Aaron Morgan (2-34) and Rob Winfield (2-25) as they faltered to 99 all out.

Sodbury 4ths succumbed by 97 runs away to Midsomer Norton 3rds in Division 15, Alex Cumming top scoring on 23.