ASHBRITTLE have opened up a 54-point lead at the top of the first division in the West Somerset Cricket League following an impressive eight-wicket home win against Over Stowey.

With title rivals Watchet not playing, Ashbrittle took full advantage to beat Stowey who had produced the surprise result of the previous weekend by beating the seasiders.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Stowey’s batters struggled against Ashbrittle’s bowling attack with Simon Burland (36) being their top scorer. Will Barrington took 4-15, Steve Grant 2-43 and Oliver White 2-16.

Ashbrittle knocked off the runs in 15.2 overs for the loss of only two wickets with opener Wilfred Embleton scoring 74 not out while Luke Williams was 16 not out.

Crowcombe, in third spot and still in with an outside chance of winning the championship, gained a four-wicket away victory over Bridgetown.

The home side chose to bat first and were bowled out for 225 with Rob Stevens run out after scoring 46, while Henry Bond made 30 and Ben Luxton 28. Jack Lewis took 5-50 and Jake Cornish 2-29.

Will Ruell steered Crowcombe to victory with a knock of 74, while Josh Newman was 45 not out. Theo Sizer took 2-41 and Daniel Cross 2-36.

The most exciting game was at Kilve where the home side squeezed home by one wicket against Bagborough,

Bagborough, who chose to bat first, scored 209-8 in their 40 overs with openers Jed Glanvill scoring 60 before being run out and Tom Eve 77, the pair putting on 108 for the first wicket. Jim Taylor took 4-35 and Ronan Griffiths 2-26.

Opener Jay Darrell led the run-chase with 61, which included nine fours and a six, while Sam James scored 33, Taylor 24 and Rio Rock 23 as Kilve just got over the line in the 35th over. Dan Rafill was Bagborough’s leading wicket-taker with 5-49 while Henry Stirzaker snapped up 2-27.

It was another no-show day for Sampford Arundel who forfeited the points in their home game against Morebath, who remain fourth, just off the pace at the top.

Meanwhile Stogumber remain top of the second division but their lead has been reduced to only six points by Stoke St Mary.

Stogumber suffered their third defeat of the season when they went down to a heavy eight-wicket loss against Churchinford.

Stogumber, who opted to bat first, were bowled out for 151 with D Godfrey scoring 57, Stephen Hawkings 32 not out, Peter Horton 29 and Gareth Welbeck 26. Churchinford were steered to victory by openers Chris Roberts (40) and Andrew Layard (43).

Stoke beat Roadwater by119 runs at home with George Johnson being their standout star with 184, which included 31 boundaries, in a score of 291-7 while O Squire took 3-31 as the opposition were bowled out for 172.

Winsford beat Cannington away by 58 runs, the home side being dismissed for 191 with Sibin Abraham being their top batter with 73 while A Loosemore took 3-22. Edward How (72 not out) and James How (89) were Winsford’s in-form batters.

Results, Division One: Ashbrittle 126-2 (35), Over Stowey 124 (8); Bridgetown 225 (16), Crowcombe 228-6 (35); Kilve 210-9 (33), Bagborough 209-8 (19); Sampford Arundel (0), Morebath (35). Division Two: Cannington 191 (14), Winsford 249-5 (35); Stogumber 151 (9), Churchinford 154-2 (35); Stoke St Mary 291-7 (35), Roadwater 172 (15).