CHIPPING Sodbury are up to fourth in Division One of the Gloucestershire County League after breezing past Charlton Kings by seven wickets, writes Steve Hill.

The Cheltenham side very quickly came to regret their decision to bat first as Josh Morris dismissed both openers quickly on his way to figures of 3-22 from nine.

And with Ben Waldron (2-27), Richard Wood (2-26) and skipper Jamie Rendell (3-26 from nine) keeping the pressure on, Kings wilted to just 110 all out.

The target proved well within reach for the visitors with Sourish Mukherjee (40) and Ben Makepeace (28) sharing an unbroken stand of 64 to help complete their side’s second straight success.

Sodbury 2nds, though, came unstuck by 119 runs at home to Woodpeckers of Gloucester despite the efforts of Oli Morris (3-34), Craig Dyer (3-49) and Jay Penfold (2-48) while Dan Brown top scored with 38.

Jake Kirkham, fresh from compiling his maiden century earlier this month, achieved the rare distinction of carrying his bat for Sodbury 3rds in an eight-wicket home reverse against Churchways in Division Eight of the Bristol & District League.

Opener Jake batted all the way through for an unbeaten 51 in a disappointing team total of 123 all out ahead of Churchways wrapping up the win.

It was a good day though for Sodbury 4ths who emerged eight-wicket victors in a Division 15 derby away to Frampton Cotterell 3rds.

Joe Campbell (3-10), Dan Jenkins (2-20) and Callum Davidge (2-27) all starred as Frampton were bowled out for 132 before Jim Davis led Sodbury’s charge to the points with a half century before retiring.