ROHAN Wijeratne hammered an unbeaten century as Chipping Sodbury continued their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 73-run home victory over Welsh visitors Machen.

The opener stroked 15 fours and two sixes off 108 balls before retiring on 101 after sharing a second wicket stand of 168 with Jason Thomson, who retired on 86 (five fours, seven sixes).

Their efforts helped propel Sodbury to an imposing 248-5 from 40 overs after losing the toss. In reply, Machen were bowled out for 175 with six home players capturing wickets.

Eddie Holden led the way with a return of 3-23 while there were also two wickets apiece for Jay Penfold and Mason Poole with Richard Wood, Callum Carter and Callum Mealing also getting in on the act.

On an adjacent pitch at the Ridings, it was an excellent day for an extremely youthful Sodbury 3rd team who overcame Bradley Stoke by five wickets.

Henry Rendell (3-6 from two) was the pick of the home attack with Tom Wilson, Matt Elmore, Rob Winfield, Felix Fielding, Abby Lewis and Oli Barton also taking a wicket apiece.

Henry then compiled an unbeaten 22 (retired) to help Sodbury to the spoils, opener Jack Gray (13) and Oli Barton (12) also showing plenty of promise.

Sodbury’s Sunday XI, meanwhile, went down by 44 runs at home to Travellers who reached 226-6 after winning the toss, Callum Carter and Kalel Caswell taking two wickets each.

Sodbury then came up just short despite another excellent knock from Rohan Wijeratne whose 84 included 12 fours and a six.

Captain Eddie Holden (30) and Callum Mealing (28) kept Sodbury in the hunt before a late flurry of wickets saw Travellers take charge.

Attention now turns to the last weekend of action before the start of the league programme. Sodbury’s first XI travel to Biddestone on Saturday while the 2nds will be home to Tormarton and the 3rds host Chippenham 4ths.

Chipping Sodbury Women open their GCF League South Division campaign on Sunday with a home date against Brislington (1pm). Also in this group are Frenchay, Golden Hill, OB Westbury and Thornbury.

A little piece of history, meanwhile, will be made on Wednesday (May 4) when Sodbury travel to Pucklechurch for the first game of the new Bristol Midweek T20 League (6.15pm).