MINEHEAD 3rd XI are setting the early pace at the top of the third division in the West Somerset Cricket League.

They are 41 points clear of joint second-placed teams Carhampton and Stoodleigh - after gaining a 169-run victory over Stoodleigh.

Minehead hit 274-9 in their 40 overs with C Paterson top scoring with an unbeaten 85 which included 15 fours and one six. Other run-getters were E Baby (50), F Penny (35) and B Cobb (30) while A Mullens took 3-38, S Bowker 2-74 and M Williams 2-45.

Stoodleigh were bowled out for 105 despite an opening stand of 61 between A Torrance (33) and S Bowker (29). M Maggs was the Man of the Match with the remarkable figures of 7-7 in 4.3 overs.

Carhampton piled up 277-5 in their 40 overs in beating Over Stowey 2nd XI by 223 runs with Luke Milton hitting 114 and sharing in an opening stand of 146 with Paul Keal (48), while Sam Price was also in good form with 68. Lewis Bond and Harley Rich both claimed two wickets.

Stowey were in all sorts of trouble with the bat, being shot out for 54 in 18.3 overs with Harley Rich (26) being the only batter into double figures. Matt Long finished with figures of 5-10 in seven ruthless overs.

B Lipscombe (96), J Fyfe (66) and I Pincombe (61 not out) were in fine form for Wiveliscombe 2nd XI who scored 369-7 in their 40 overs against Fitzhead 2nd XI who made 100-9 in reply with N Pincombe, K Hannaford and J Fyfe all taking two wickets.

Results, Division Three: Buckland St Mary & Bishopswood 239 (17), Ashbrittle 2nd XI 271-7 (35); Fitzhead 2nd XI 100-9 (13), Wiveliscombe 2nd XI 369-7 (34); Minehead 3rd XI 274-9 (35), Stoodleigh 105 (14); Over Stowey 2nd XI 54 (7), Carhampton 277-5 (35).