CHIPPING Sodbury followed up qualifying for the final of the Gloucestershire County League’s inaugural T20 Blast with their best Saturday performance of the season, downing promotion hopefuls Lydney by 109 runs at The Ridings, writes Steve Hill.

Sodbury had to battle their way to a total of 182 after being asked to bat, Josh Morris (44) and Nick Wake (32) playing with great care and determination in bowler-friendly conditions.

In reply, Lydney had progressed to a solid 47-2, Ben Waldron making both breakthroughs, before spin twins Jamie Rendell (5-17 from eight) and Dan Brown (3-14 from six) ran through the innings.

This excellent result edged Sodbury up a place to seventh to Division One of the Greene King IPA Gloucestershire County League, and a top four finish remains possible with two weeks to go thanks to the congested nature of the table.

Sodbury went into this game on a high after booking their place in the T20 Blast finals day thanks to a thrilling two-wicket triumph off the penultimate ball away to Cam.

The last group clash in the South division became a straight play-off between two rivals eager to qualify, and a real thriller was in doubt until the very end.

Cam were restricted to a total of 107-9, Waldron claiming 3-27 and Reece Packer 2-12, both from four.

But batting was tricky on a slow surface in fading light, and Sodbury needed a composed 42 from opener Jake Reed and a vital 18 from James Luscombe to stay in the contest before Waldron (11 not) and Eddie Holden got their side over the line, Holden leg glancing the winning boundary with just one ball to spare.

Sodbury now prepare to go head-to-head with hosts Hatherley & Reddings plus Corse & Staunton in the Blast final on Sunday (10.30am start).

Sodbury 2nds, meanwhile, gave County League Division Three leaders Langford a real fright before succumbing by two wickets.

Packer crashed 60 off only 44 balls (three fours, five sixes) and opener Jim Davis hit 54 in Sodbury’s challenge of 195.

And a fine bowling effort then ensured Langford had to work hard for the spoils with Packer, Sam Vile and Phil Lill capturing two wickets apiece.

Sodbury 3rds went down by 151 runs at home to Stanton Drew in Division Eight of the Bristol & District League.

The highlight of the day for Sodbury came when Emily Wilson dismissed Drew’s Rob Bailey – who only the previous week set a new league runs record for the season – for just 35, one of his lowest scores of the summer.