FITZHEAD have opened up a 25-point lead at the top of the fourth division in the West Somerset Cricket League after beating second-placed Buckland St Mary & Bishopswood.

After winning the toss, Fitzhead batted first and scored 240-9 in their 40 overs with Joel Clyde-Smith being their star batter with 109, an innings which included 17 fours and five sixes. Alex McKenna also scored 55 with 11 fours and Joshua Bellamy 18. Peter Endersby took 4-78, Paul Every 2-39 and Cherith Liyanagamage 2-56.

Buckland never seriously looked like winning, with Every (38) being one of only three batters to make double figures, the others being Nathaniel Smith (28) and Oliver Rich (12). Ryan Mullins took 4-11 in nine overs and Neil Mullens 2-12.

Over Stowey stay fourth in the table after they beat East Huntspill by 81 runs. Stowey, batting first, made 279-5 in their allotted overs with opener Mark Sortwell knocking 92, Lewis Bond 49 not out and Dave Rowsell 37. Eddie Garrett took 2-44 and Nathan Ganfield 2-43.

After a promising start, Huntspill were dismissed for 198 with J Frazer taking 3-25 and Rowswell 3-52. Martin Pownall scored 49 and Alfie O’Regan 41.

In the most exciting match of the weekend, Spaxton gained a one-wicket success over Stoke St Mary. Batting first Stoke scored 236-7 with Adrian Sproston top scoring with 67, while Mark Jones took 3-45. Despite a poor start to their innings, Spaxton scraped home with Dan Andison run out for 87 and Jones scoring 49.

Wiveliscombe found themselves without a match after their opponents Brompton Ralph conceded their game. Wiveliscombe were awarded 35 points.

With Fitzhead without a fixture on Saturday, June 28, Buckland St Mary have a chance to close the gap at the top when they play at home to East Huntspill while third-placed Roadwater play at Over Stowey.