EDDIE Holden claimed career-best figures of 5-32 to help Chipping Sodbury defeat Cheltenham 2nds and make it eight from eight at the top of Division One in the Gloucestershire County League.

The seamer’s superb spell built on excellent early work by paceman Josh Morris who ripped through the top order with tremendous figures of 4-10 from nine as Cheltenham folded to 106 all out.

In reply, Sodbury lost two early wickets before Sourish Mukherjee (34) and Matt Webb (25) steadied the ship to ensure a five-wicket win that keeps Sodbury clear at the top of the table.

Sodbury 2nds fought hard in a 19-run reverse away to Sheepscombe in Division Four. The home side hit 196-8 before Sodbury came up just short despite 52 from Richard Wood.

Sodbury 3rds were involved in an even tighter contest, falling just one run short at home to Alveston in Bristol & District League Division Eight.

Jay Penfold (4-63) led the way while there were also two wickets apiece for Sam Vile and captain Rob Higgs as Alveston were bowled out for 229.

In reply, 13-year-old opener Henry Rendell’s mature 66 and 65 from Higgs put Sodbury in charge before Alveston fought back with a flurry of wickets and held their nerve in a tight finish despite the efforts of Tom Febry (27) and Ollie Barton (18 not).

On Sunday, Sodbury eased past Lydney by 40 runs in the Gloucestershire Trophy and will now be away in the quarter finals to Bristol Pakistanis.

Jiwanjot Singh (73) and Adam Febry (51) led Sodbury to a total of 224-8 before Dan Brown (4-21) helped restrict Lydney to a reply of 185 all out.

On an adjoining pitch, Sodbury Women made it three from four in the GCF League’s South Division, trumping Golden Hill by eight wickets.

The visitors were restricted to 84-7 thanks to an excellent bowling effort typified by Lauren Mealing’s spell of 1-5 from three.

Molly Thomas (31) and Nanditha Manchikalapati (16) then took charge of Sodbury’s reply with an unbroken partnership of 52.

They are next in action on Sunday away to Brislington.

Sodbury’s first XI are away to Kingsholm on Saturday when the 2nds host Cricklade and the 4ths welcome Golden Hill with the 3rds away to Bedminster.