CUTCOMBE beat Ashbrittle’s second string by five wickets at home to maintain their position at the top of Division Three in the West Somerset Cricket League.

Batting first after being put in, Ashbrittle were bowled out for 121 in 31-3 overs with Chris Hill scoring 80, despite wickets falling regularly at the other end. Opener Steven Priscott (14) was the only other batter to make double figures. Ben Gregory finished with figures of 6-35 while Harry Pursey took 2-29.

Cutcombe, too, did not find runs easy to come by, although opener Lee Baker kept his cool to score a crucial 33, while Elliott Binding and Gregory both scored 22. Leon Westcott took 2-29 and Ellie Popplestone 2-32.

Hemyock kept in touch with the leaders - they are 11 points adrift with a match in hand - after winning by six wickets at home to Cannington who, batting first, scored 101 all out with Daryl Lush top scoring with 33. Phillip Evans took 3-26 and Adam Welch 3-21.

Pavisekan Nadesaran top scored with 51 as the Devon side won fairly comfortably to keep up the pressure on Cutcombe, while Jalal Ahmend scored 23. William Rose took 2-42.

In the only other game played in the division, Stoodleigh won by eight wickets at home to Carhampton who were all out for 103 with R Cape (29) and C Clements (23) being the only players to hit double figures. Stoodleigh knocked off the runs in 23.4 overs with A Torrance, 44 not out, steering them to a deserved win.

Cutcombe have no league match this coming weekend which means that Hemyock will go top if they beat third-placed Bishops Hull at home on Saturday, June 21.

Ashbrittle have a home fixture against Minehead while Cannington visit S$toodleigh.