Chipping Sodbury CC 4th XI 130 lost to Stoke Gifford CC 1st XI 134/3 by 7 wickets
Stoke Gifford 1st XI produced a clinical all-round performance to claim a convincing seven-wicket win away against Chipping Sodbury CC 4th XI at The Ridings in Eighth Division North action.
After the hosts won the toss and chose to bat, Stoke Gifford’s opening bowlers made an immediate impact to tilt the momentum firmly in the visitors' favour. Joe Black ripped through the top order, while Harry Black provided excellent support at the other end. Ian Semple took two sharp catches behind the stumps to dismiss Tom Smurthwaite for 4 and Oliver Hunter for a duck, before Joe Black bowled Oliver Febry for 2 to reduce Chipping Sodbury to 13/3.
Steven Hunter mounted a solid recovery for the home side with a top-scoring 31 off 45 balls, but Stoke Gifford kept the pressure on through tight bowling. Lewis Jefferies was exceptionally frugal, claiming 2-13 from his eight overs with four maidens, including the wicket of Dean May for 12. Alex Burford bowled with great control to take 2-15 and execute the run out of Angus Howard, while Rich Stadden claimed a wicket of his own as Chipping Sodbury slid to 74/8.
The hosts fought back stoutly through a brisk 50-run ninth-wicket counter-attack between Branavan Velauthapillai (23) and Tim Gray (18), taking the total past three figures. However, Burford bowled Velauthapillai and Joe Black returned to wrap up the innings by catching Gray off his own bowling, ending with team-best figures of 3-24 as Chipping Sodbury were dismissed for 130 in 38.4 overs.
Chasing 131 for victory, Stoke Gifford made a flying start thanks to Ian Semple, who struck four boundaries in a lively 20 off 20 balls. Dean May briefly brought Chipping Sodbury back into the contest by removing both Ian and Matt Semple in quick succession to leave the chase at 43/2, but opener Henry Birt remained steadfast at the crease.
Joined by Ryan Edwards, the duo effectively put the match out of reach with a match-defining 50-run partnership for the third wicket. Edwards took the attack to the bowlers, striking seven fours and a six in an entertaining 46 from 42 deliveries. By the time Edwards fell to Gray with the score on 115, Stoke Gifford were within touching distance of their target.
Lewis Jefferies provided the grandstand finish, blasting an unbeaten 19 from just 10 balls, featuring three fours and a six. Birt anchored the chase brilliantly to finish not out on 33 off 84 balls, guiding Stoke Gifford home to 134/3 in the 28th over and securing a resounding victory.