CHIPPING Sodbury have officially opened their refurbished nets – a rare happy note as wet weather has continued to wreck the club’s early season fixture list.

All four of Sodbury’s opening Saturday league matches were washed out as heavy rain deluged The Ridings, causing yet more headaches for dedicated wicket preparation teams.

In between the showers, however, the club took advantage of the sun coming out at youth practice on Friday to declare their nets open with Gloucestershire bowler Jared Warner joining in the celebrations.

Chairman Jim Kendall said: "All three lanes have been completely refurbished and it’s brilliant to see them being in constant use by members of all ages but particularly our youngsters – when it’s not raining!"

The rain held off enough for Sodbury’s two U15 sides to record victories on adjoining pitches. The Lions restricted Bradley Stoke to 64-7, Henry Rendell taking 3-6 from four ahead of Ollie Barton (27) leading the way to a seven-wicket success while Ronnie Freeman hit an unbeaten 43 and there were two wickets apiece for Kaitlin Wilby and Steve Elmore in a 30-run defeat of Downend.

Eddie Rendell (4-3) and Harry Baker (3-4, both from three) starred in a four-wicket win for Sodbury U11s against Golden Hill.

The senior Sunday side, meanwhile, totalled 160-5 at home to Cam, Henry Rendell top scoring on 46, before Ronnie Freeman’s burst of 3-10 helped nail down a 32-run triumph.

Two senior matches are scheduled at Sodbury on Saturday with the 2nds hoping to open their Gloucestershire County League campaign against Woodmancote while the 4ths are home to their Bristol counterparts in the B&D competition, both starting at 1pm.

The first XI travel to Dumbleton in WEPL while the 3rds are away to Bedminster.