ASHBRITTLE have a slender lead over champions Watchet at the top of the first division in the West Somerset Cricket league after being handed the game by local rivals Sampford Arundel.

Sampford could not fulfil the fixture which meant Ashbrittle were awarded all 35 points available, leaving them one-point ahead of champions and second-placed Watchet.

Last season’s winners gained their seventh victory of the season when they beat Kilve by 38 runs at home.

Watchet, put into bat, scored 191 all out in 39.4 overs with Paul Sparks (30), Ben Robinson (29 not out), Oliver Saddington (26) and Eben Harding (25) being their main scorers. Jay Darrell took 4-32, Jim Taylor 2-53 and Tom Wilcox 2-31.

Kilve never seriously recovered from a poor start, losing both openers without scoring, eventually being bowled out for 153 in 35.5 overs.

Sam James top scored with a run-a-ball 55 while Tom Wilcox knocked 34. Robinson took 4-33 and D Bowden 3-41.

Morebath maintained their bid to win the title with a decisive eight-wicket success over Bridgetown who were put into bat and scored 135 all out. Morebath hit off the runs in 26.5 overs.

Brompton Ralph were another no-show side, handing the points to Over Stowey who are in sixth spot but have yet to win a match.

Meanwhile, in the second division, Chris Roberts hit 117 at exactly a run-a-ball for Churchinford but still finished on the losing side against Cutcombe who squeezed home by one wicket.

Kerr Anderson also scored 36 and Alex Hendy 27 for Churchinford who totalled 222-6 after 40 overs. Elliott Binding took 2-31.

James Gregory steered Cutcombe to victory with an unbeaten 51 off 28 balls after Lennon Howe had hit 58 (off 38 balls). Andrew Layard took 3-55, Anderson 3-21 and Roberts 2-73.

Stogumber kept up the pressure at the top of the division with a six-wicket away success against Cannington who were dismissed for 146 with two wickets each for S Yaw, L Penny, Nick Bennett and Peter Horton. Elias Hayes (36), D Godfrey (26), Theo Bennett (35) and Eliott Brick (23 not out) all made runs for Stogumber. Dave Hoveman took 2-32.

It was another blank day for Hemyock who could not put out a side against leaders Stoke St Mary who stay eight points clear of Stogumber who have a game in hand.

Results, Division One: Ashbrittle (35pts), Sampford Arundel (0); Bridgetown 135 (8), Morebath 136-2 (35); Brompton Ralph (0), Over Stowey (35); Watchet 191 (34), Kilve 153 (17).

Division Two: Cannington 146 (11), Stogumber 149-4 (35); Cutcombe 228-9 (31), Churchinford 222-6 (19); Stoke St Mary (35), Hemyock (0).

Match of the day in the first division is at Morebath on Saturday, July 11, where the home side have a crucial clash against Watchet.

Watchet are 34 points ahead of third-placed Morebath who have a game in hand.

Ashbrittle play at Kilve while fourth-placed Crowcombe will be hoping to keep in touch with the top teams away to Over Stowey.

The big match in Division Two is the clash between Stogumber who are home to leaders Stoke St Mary, while third-placed Roadwater are home to Cutcombe while Lydeard St Lawrence, in fourth spot, entertain Cannington. Stoke have played one more match than the three teams chasing them.