ASHBRITTLE virtually ended Morebath’s slim hopes of winning the championship in the first division of the West Somerset Cricket League with an 85-run home victory over their rivals.

Ashbrittle collected a maximum 35 points and have a one-point lead over reigning champions Watchet who were winners at home to Bagborough.

Ashbrittle opted to bat first against Morebath and opener Wilfred Embleton was in fine form, scoring 95 before falling lbw to Sam Nelson, a knock which included 14 fours and a six. Luke Williams scored 45 and Steven Grant 25. Irindu Gallage took 2-45, Toby Radford 2-67 and R Bowden 2-45.

Dan Rottenbury top scored for Morebath, who are now 73 points behind Ashbrittle, hitting 54 while opener Daniel Coles knocked 22. Luke Williams took 3-22, Grant 3-33 and William Barrington 3-31.

Watchet kept up the pressure on Ashbrittle with a 98-run success against Bagborough. Batting first after being put in, Watchet scored 183 all out with Callum Knight hitting 56, Oliver Saddington 23 and Billy Jones 22. Bagborough’s star bowler was Henry Stirzaker who snapped up 5-53 while Paul York-Smith took 2-11.

Bagborough never recovered from a poor start and were bowled out for 85 with only three batters making double figures against the bowling of Liam Woolgrove who took 3-15, Martin Strong (2-8) and Vishau Kombath 2-3.

Over Stowey failed to fulfil their fixture away to Bridgetown, who were awarded 35 points, enabling them to move up to third spot - one place above Morebath.

Stogumber are 12 points clear at the top of the second division after they, too, were handed the points by no-show Hemyock who are set for a quick return to Division Three.

Cannington were three-wicket home winners over Churchinford who, deciding to bat first, were all out for 125, with Kalann Nessling 39 not out while Connor Miles scored 28. Star bowler for Cannington was Robert Marcus Coombes who took 8-24 in 7.3 overs.

Opener Coombes proved to be the Man of the Match, steering Cannington to victory with 66 not out while fellow opener Vinay Guduru made 19. Nessling made life difficult for Cannington’s batters by taking 3-22, while Mark Gabriel finished with figures of 2-18.

Winsford won only their second match of the season - and eased their relegation worries - by beating Cutcombe away by seven wickets.

Cutcombe, who won the toss and decided to bat first, lost two wickets for only two runs before going on to make 116 all out in 27.3 overs with opener James Davis scoring a patient 36 while Abhijith Anlyappan made 18 and Lennon Howe 18. Duncan Westcott (4-41) and Andrew Blackmore (4-14) spearheaded Winsford’s bowling attack while Edward How took 2-26.

Winsford always looked in control of the game, with opener Patrick Crane being their top scorer with 38, while Ivo Mcfarlane scored 19, Jeremy Bingham 18 and Kieran Ash 13 not out.

Results, Division One: Ashbrittle 235-8 (35), Morebath 150 (15); Bridgetown (35), Over Stowey (0); Watchet 183 (34), Bagborough 85 (14).

Division Two: Cannington 127-7 (34), Churchinford 125 (13); Cutcombe 116 (8), Winsford 117-3 (35); Stogumber (35), Hemyock (0).

Meanwhile, Ashbrittle and Watchet both have away games this weekend (July 25). Ashbrittle play at Bagborough while Watchet visit Over Stowey.