CROWCOMBE continue to set the pace at the top of the first division in the West Somerset Cricket League.

The reigning second division champions maintained their unbeaten start to the season by winning by seven wickets against Sampford Arundel who were also promoted last summer.

Sampford, batting first, were bowled out for 130 in 39.2 overs with skipper Vince Milton top scoring with 31 while Ed Crossley hit 30. Jack Lewis took 3-13, Matt Warne 3-16 and James Khattak 2-36. Will Ruell top scored for Crowcombe with 37, while opener Sajad Ahmed was 29 not out and Warne made 21.

Ashbrittle are in second place 18 points behind Crowcombe but with a game in hand after they beat visiting Bagborough by five wickets.

Bagborough, who won the toss and decided to bat first, scored 226-6 in their 40 overs with James Middleton scoring 70, with nine fours and a six, Jed Glanvill 64, with 13 boundaries, and Henry Stiraker 34. Luke Williams and Jimmy Adams both took two wickets.

Luke Wiliams spearheaded Ashbrittle’s run-chase with 96 not out while Callum White made 44, sharing in an unbroken 104-run stand with Williams.

Reigning champions Watchet kept in touch with the leading teams after beating Over Stowey by 11- runs. Batting first, Watchet scored 225-8 with Alaistair Harrison scoring 83 and T Sparks 64. L Barrow took 3-49.

Stowey were dismissed for 115 in just over 20 overs with J Fraser 29 not out and J Disney scoring 25. Eben Harding took 4-21 and B Robinson 3-17.

Kilve slumped to their third loss of the season when they went down by five wickets at home to Morebath. Kilve, put into bat, struggled to 180-8 in their 40 overs with J Payne top scoring with 33, while R Bowden, G Turner and D Rottenbury all took two wickets.

C Hooper (54) and G Turner (36) top scored for Morebath, sharing in an unbroken 87-run fifth wicket partnership. J Taylor took 3-37.

Brompton Ralph failed to fulfil a match for the second time this season, this time against Bridgetown who collected 35 points.

In Division Two, Hemyock also cried off again, this time against Cutcombe who are in third spot after collecting 35 points.

Stogumber lead the table after they piled up 379 runs against Lydeard St Lawrence for the loss of six wickets. D Godfrey was Stogumber’s big hitter, scoring 170 with 22 fours and nine sixes, while Theo Bennett made 84 and Peter Horton 59. Ned Villacott took 3-47.

Lydeard slumped to 150 all out in 34-2 overs with Oliver Luxton knocking 48 while Elliott Brick took 4-27 and M Richings 2-19.

Stoke St Mary lost their first match of the season - and slipped down to second place - after they went down by four runs against Churchinford. Ali Layard scored 68 not out in Churchinford’s 187-9 while Luke de Haan took 4-18 and Andrew Layard took 3-13 as Stoke finished on 183-9 with Joseph Harding hitting 50.

Results, Division One: Ashbrittle 227-5 (31 pts), Bagborough 226-6 (15); Bridgetown (35), Brompton Ralph (0); Crowcombe 134-3 (35), Sampford Arundel 130 (9); Kilve 180-8 (14), Morebath 181-5 (33); Watchet 225-89 (35), Over Stowey 115 (13).

Division Two: Cannington 72 (12), Roadwater 214-9 (35); Cutcombe (35), Hemyock (0); Stogumber 379-6 (35), Lydeard St Lawrence 150 (13); Stoke St Mary 183-9 (19), Churchinford 187-9 (33).