IT is now eight consecutive wins for Minehead after a comfortable 174 run home victory over Lydford on Saturday.

As soon as Minehead were asked to bat on the splendidly prepared track they took control of the game and cruised along at four runs an over for the first 20 whilst losing only two wickets.

From then on they plundered the Lydford bowling as they amassed a further 160 off the next 20 to enable skipper Stuart Tudball to declare at 253-5 with five overs to spare.

The innings revolved around a hard hitting century by Adam Jones in just 23 overs, as he seized his opportunity to impress when he was promoted up the order to bat at No 4.

Only Jim Barnes for Lydford with 4-73 bowled with any control but in the end he suffered like all the other bowlers from the aggressive hitting.

In reply, Lydford didn't put up much resistance against the hostile bowling of Dave Bosley who took 6-40 and Ross Hartgen who removed Lydford's most prolific scorer Jim Barnes for 3. It was then left to Geoff Murrell to mop up the tail with 3-15 as Lydford were dismissed for 79 in just 23 overs.

On Saturday (tomorrow) Minehead travel to Fitzhead for the top of the table clash, the result of which will determine which two clubs out of Minehead (327 points), Fitzhead (315) and Butleigh (310) will gain promotion to Division II next season.

Minehead: 253-5 (A Jones 105 no, S Tudball 34, J Barnes 4-73).

Lydford: 79 (M Seward 21, D Bosley 6-40, G Murrell 3-15).

Points: Minehead 25 Lydford 4.