WITH title rivals Watchet losing, Ashbrittle took another big step towards winning the first division championship in the West Somerset Cricket League with an away win over Bridgetown.

It means they now have a 49-point lead over Watchet - with the season rapidly drawing to a close.

Bridgetown, who chose to bat first, scored 189-5 in their 40 overs while Ashbrittle, runners-up last season, knocked off the runs for the loss of only three wickets in 28 overs.

Crowcombe are now up to second after they gained a five-wicket home victory over Watchet who are now down to third in the table.

It means the title race could be decided this coming weekend when Ashbrittle face Crowcombe.

After choosing to bat first, Watchet made a reasonable start with openers Paul Sparks (56) and Ryan Strong (30) putting on 46 for the first wicket. But they lost four wickets before Oliver Saddington (25) and Mark Lovell (15) prevented a complete collapse with a fifth-wicket stand of 69.

Rob White was Crowcombe’s bowling star with figures of 5-20, while Jalees Khattak took 2-30.

George Robertson (61 not out) and S Day (69) steered Crowcombe home.

In the only other match played in the first division, Kilve pulled off a seven-wicket away success against Over Stowey who, put into bat, were all out for 117 in 27 overs with M Tinker (28), Kieran Barrow (16) and Simon Burland (20) being the only batters to get into double figures. Tom Wilcox took 5-12, and Ronan Griffiths 3-27.

Kilve knocked off the runs in 24.3 overs with Ben Gannon scoring 46 and Pete Stone 25 not out.

Meanwhile, Stogumber opened up a 41-point lead at the top of Division Two after gaining a crucial five-wicket away victory over title rivals Roadwater who are now 62 points behind the leaders in third place.

Roadwater, who won the toss and elected to bat first, scored 169 all out in 31.3 overs with Kieren Roberts being the top batter with 43, while Stogumber reached their target in 29 overs.

Lydeard St Lawrence, in fourth place, piled up 302-9 at home to Winsford with Mark Hannaford being their batting star with 136, which included 17 fours and seven sixes. Oliver Luxton hit 66 and Clayton Vellacott 38. Steve Kingdon was Winsford’s outstanding bowler with 6-49 while Henry Dunn took 2-60.

Winsford never recovered from losing their first wicket with 24 runs on the board although Duncan Westcott scored a run-a-ball 59 while Dunn scored 32 and George Noble 29. Tom Westcott snapped up 4-53, Clayton Vellacott 3-47 and Matthew Reading 2-40.

In a basement battle, Cutcombe won by 26 runs at home to Cannington and are now only 21 points behind their rivals with two crucial games in hand with only one team going down with Hemyock’s withdrawal.

Cutcombe, who chose to bat first, scored 243-6 with Abhijith Aniyappan 95 not out and Ben Pursey 60 not out. In reply Cannington made 217-9 with Christian Cullum 52 not out while Hugh Ogle made 52. James Davis took 4-34.

Results, Division One: Bagborough (35), Sampford Arundel (0); Bridgetown 189-5 (12), Ashbrittle 192-3 (30); Crowcombe 186-5 (35), Watchet 185 (14); Over Stowey 117 (8), Kilve 118-3 (35).

Division Two: Cutcombe 243-6 (34), Cannington 217-9 (16); Lydeard St Lawrence 302-9 (35), Winsford 193 (18); Roadwater 169 (13), Stogumber 170 (5).