The Match Report: Chipping Sodbury 1st XI V Coalpit Heath
Article Date: 21st August 2006
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Sodbury's hopes of winning the league disappeared as they fell agonisingly 1 run short of their target in a thrilling game. Sodbury bowled first on a damp track and started well.
Despite a couple of dropped chances the opening attack of Jon Toghill and Jamie Wakefield made early inroads into the Heath batting line up to leave them struggling at 67 for 3 from 25 overs.
However a combination of a lack of discipline with the ball and some aggressive batting saw the home side reach 184 for 8 from their 45 overs. Toghill was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 for 46 but Sodbury will rue the fact they bowled 18 extras allowing Heath a full 3 overs extra to set a challenging target.
In reply Sodbury got off to a poor start losing 3 quick wickets with only 25 on the board. Dave Reynolds (26) and Craig Scully (12) patiently steadied the ship with a stand of 35 but both fell in quick succession to leave Sodbury on 60 for 5 from 25 overs and facing a massive task.
Skipper Jamie Rendell and Steve Clapp continued to rebuild and started to increase the run rate putting on 40 before Rendell went for 29 and Sodbury still needed 80 from the last 10 overs with just 4 wickets in hand.
Toghill was next to go for 6 and with 45 required from 5 overs Rich Wood came in and smashed a much needed 24 from 16 balls to keep the visitors in with a shout before he was stumped in the penultimate over.
The Coalpit Heath bowlers were keeping their composure but with 9 required to win from the final over the game, and Sodbury's season was on a knife edge. A scrambled single from the second ball saw new batsmen Martin Rendell take strike and he managed to score 2 from the third ball before being caught from the fourth.
Steve Clapp was still their and hit the fifth ball for 2 runs leaving Sodbury needing a boundary to win from the last ball. Clapp just couldn't provide a fitting finish as he smashed a low full toss down to long on for 2 more leaving Sodbury 1 short in an enthralling run chase.
As Bedminster held their nerve to win again, they were crowned champions and Sodbury had to settle for second best again.
Cotswold Vintners Man of the Match - Steve Clapp
