MINEHEAD went top of the Premier Division when some batting heroics from Freddie Wilson earned them maximum points away to Ashbrittle on Saturday.

They elected to bat, a decision which looked a poor one as the Ashbrittle bowlers got off to a superb start, with opener Ian Buchanan caught at slip for five early on.

He was quickly followed by Andrew Stevens (24), Braden Taylor (14), Dan Bowditch (1) and Brad Martin (0) to leave the visitors in trouble on 50-5 after just 16 overs.

However, Alastair Harrison and Freddie Wilson then came together and while the former looked to re-build, the latter launched an astonishing counter-attack, taking a couple boundaries from his first six balls.

With the introduction of spin to the attack, Wilson grew in confidence, dismissing the ball at any opportunity as he brought up his fifty in just 36 balls.

Harrison meanwhile was playing his part, but after picking up a boundary he tried to imitate his batting partner with a big shot and was caught at mid-off for 23 after a partnership of more than 120.

Wilson continued on his way, surging through the 70s and 80s with more powerful striking before bringing up his maiden 1st tXI century off just 70 balls.

He was joined in the latter stages by Dan Godfrey (8) and Jay Darrell (9no), who both played their part as Minehead finished on 235-7, with Wilson ending on 123 not out from just 85 balls, having hit 12 fours and six sixes.

The Ashbrittle ireply got off to a steady start as openers Quick and Summerfield were watchful against the new ball whilst also latching onto anything loose.

It took a sensational piece of fielding by Godfrey to notch the first wicket when he ran out Quick for 19 with a direct hit from extra cover.

Bowditch then clean bowled Summerfield (23) and Darrell had Williams out in the same manner for five to leave the hosts in a precarious position at 60-3.

A Hill and Rowe began to rebuild the innings and looked to have wrestled back the initiative with some clean hitting, but then Rowe tried one shot too many and was caught at cover by Godfrey off the bowling of Bowditch (2-28).

Hill continued to find the boundary but with wickets falling around him the task looked out of reach as only C Hill (15) and R Hill (23) offered any resistance.

When A Hill was bowled by Martin (3-50) for a classy 43, Minehead knew victory was theirs for the taking.

A brief cameo from T Stone (28) was not enough to see his team over the line as Buchanan (3-37) took the last wicket and they were dismissed for 211, giving Minehead victory by 24 runs.

l Minehead have a vital match at home tomorrow (Saturday) against Cheddar, who they took over top spot from. Just six points separate the two teams.