CHIPPING Sodbury produced their most assured performance of the season to inflict a first defeat on Tewkesbury, dispatching the WEPL Gloucestershire division leaders by 64 runs.

Sodbury, who won the toss at Gander Lane, had to battle their way to a total of 219-7 with the main contributors being 15-year-old Henry Rendell, who completed his first senior half century to finish unbeaten on 54, and Rohan Wijeratne (46).

Sodbury’s bowlers, led by Eddie Holden (3-28 from nine), then turned the screw with Lovepreet Singh, Jiwanjot Singh, captain Jamie Rendell and debutant Rupert James also taking wickets while Jamie Wakefield’s seven overs cost only 15 runs.

It was a terrific day too for Sodbury 2nds who chased down a target of 207 for a four-wicket home victory against Fairford.

Damien Bouwer enjoyed a memorable day, taking 4-49 and crunching 60, while Matt Peach marked his Saturday league debut with an excellent 73 from only 49.

Sodbury 3rds lost at home to Alveston by six wickets despite a career-best 84 from teenage opener Ollie Barton while the 4ths overcame Golden Hill by three wickets in a hastily arranged friendly and Sodbury 5ths edged Coalpit Heath 4ths by six wickets.

Charlie Wiffen and Ali Scott took two wickets each before Tom Brown (51 retired) and youth team player Steve Elmore (45) got their side over the line.

Naomi Forecast, meanwhile, hammered a career best 132 off only 101 (25 fours, three sixes) for the combined Sodbury/Winterbourne women’s team, paving the way for a 167-run home win over Golden Hill in the GCF Women’s 35 Over League.

Sodbury’s first XI reach the halfway point of their season with a home clash on Saturday against second placed Gloucester while the 4ths will host Frampton Cotterell on the Jim Cowles Pitch.

On Sunday, Sodbury entertain Bourton Vale in the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Cup with a Development XI welcoming Cotham Porter Stores (both 1pm).