CHIPPING Sodbury battled hard before coming up short away to promotion favourites Dumbleton in WEPL’s Gloucestershire Division.

Dumbleton, who lost the toss, were in a strong position at 161-2 before being reined back to a total of 233 with captain Jamie Rendell, Jiwanjot Singh, Eddie Holden and Josh Morris taking two wickets apiece.

Several Sodbury batters, in reply, made starts but could not play the long innings required, Sourish Mukherjee top scoring with an unbeaten 34.

Sodbury 2nds, meanwhile, pulled off a tremendous eight-run home victory against Woodmancote in Division Four of the Gloucestershire County League.

Mason Poole (40) and Lee Walters (39) top scored in a challenge of 203 which looked well within range for the visitors who made steady progress to 169-2.

But the return of Poole to the attack sparked a dramatic shift of momentum as the seamer, bowling fast and straight, hit the stumps five times to finish with 5-17 – his first senior five-for – to inspire a memorable win.

Sodbury 3rds chased down a target of 243 for another excellent victory, away to Bedminster in Division Eight of the Bristol & District League.

Captain Rob Higgs and Tony Garton took two wickets apiece as the Bristol side totalled 242-5, and Sodbury rose to the challenge in style through Adam Febry (111) and opener Ben Boardman (88 no) to bank the points with an over to spare.

Sodbury 4ths’ developmental line-up went down by 113 runs at home to a strong Bristol side in Division 14, but captain Tim Gray finished with fine figures of 4-29 – including two stumpings completed by son Jack – and young Will Mountjoy batted with style and determination for an excellent 16.

Sodbury’s Sunday XI succumbed to a 12-run home reverse against Frenchay, Callum Mealing taking 2-25 before captain Eddie Holden (66 no) and Alfie Greaves (52 off only 23) almost secured the win.

Sodbury U15s, meanwhile, made a fine start to their GYC League campaign with an eight-wicket triumph away to Golden Hill, Riley Wakefield (3-11 from four) and opener Ollie Barton (36) both shining.

On Saturday, Sodbury 2nds are home to Cranham and the 3rds entertain OB Westbury while the first XI travel to Cirencester and the 4ths visit Brislington.

Sodbury Women visit Twyford House on Sunday when a Development XI will be away to Hambrook.