Report By Steve Hill

TORRENTIAL rain washed out Chipping Sodbury’s much anticipated first league match of the season, at Tetbury, but the club’s B and Extras teams dodged the showers to complete home victories at The Ridings.

Openers Tom Febry (51 retired) and Jim Davis (41) took the B side to a total of 128-4 off 18.4 against Rockhampton 3rds when the weather intervened, leading to an early declaration.

After a lengthy break the visitors were soon on the back foot, with their reply petering out as Sodbury clinched an 81-run success.

Sam Vile claimed 4-19 from four, while there were outstanding four-over opening bursts, from Jay Penfold (1-3) and Richard Wood (1-8).

Sodbury Extras, meanwhile, scrambled two byes off the penultimate ball to clinch a thrilling three-wicket win over Bristol United Banks.

The visitors rallied from 26-6 to 82-7 off their 20 overs, Rob Winfield (3-8 from three), Dan Whittaker (1-9 from four) and Callum Mealing (1-10 from four) the pick of the attack.

Sodbury were rocking at 19-4 before Chris Meredith (39) and Steve Febry (19) took charge. But both perished with victory within touching distance and teenagers Isaac Havard and Mealing had to show composure and grit to get their side over the line.

This match was also notable for what could well be a cricketing first in these coronavirus times.

Steve Febry attempted a run out during the Banks innings with his accurate throw appearing certain to dismiss a batsman.

But the ball hit a bottle of hand sanitiser, which had been deposited for safe keeping at the foot of the stumps, and rebounded clear to save the bemused batsman.

Sodbury’s first XI hope to be in Gloucestershire County League action on Saturday away to local rivals Hawkesbury Upton while the B side are home to Hambrook 2nds and the Extras entertain Chippenham 5ths (all 1pm).

On Sunday, Sodbury Ladies are away to Golden Hill and a men’s XI travel to Oldbury-on-Severn.