AFTER losing heavily to Ashbrittle the previous weekend, champions Watchet bounced back to winning form in the first division of the West Somerset Cricket League with a five-wicket home win over last season's second division runners-up Sampford Arundel.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Sampford scored 144-9 in 32-3 overs with Thomas Gendell scoring 36, Tony Jenkins 30 and skipper Vince Milton 26. Eben Harding snapped up 4-25 and Martin Strong 3-24.

Watchet lost three early wickets before C Cullum scored 49, while Harding (37) and Strong (19) were not out as Watchet chalked up their sixth win of the summer.

Crowcombe kept in touch with the leaders with a seven-wicket victory at home to Kilve who were bowled out for 109 in 36.2 overs. Opener Peter Stone was their top batter with 20, with his side always struggling after the first wicket went down at 25. Rob White was almost unplayable, taking 5-18 while Chris Clavey took 2-21.

Crowcombe lost an early wicket but knocked off the runs inside 20 overs with Will Ruell scoring 40 not out, while Luke Robert Willets made 33.

Bridgetown collected a maximum 35 points after a splendid eight-wicket home win over Bagborough who scored 237 all out in 36 overs. Bridgetown hit off the runs in 29.1 overs to record their fourth success of the season and to maintain their own chances of finishing top.

Meanwhile, last season's third division winners Hemyock were forced to cancel their away match against Cannington. It was their second successive cancellation in Division Two and their sixth of the season.

Winsford also pulled out of their home fixture against Stoke St Mary who were awarded 35 points.

Lydeard St Lawrence won their fifth match of the season when they beat Roadwater by four wickets.

Roadwater, who won the toss and decided to bat first, scored 233-7 in their 40 overs with Ross Cornish scoring 54, Rob Trapnell 52 not out, Kieren Roberts 35 and Ryan Lobb 26. Tom Westcott took 2-29 and Clayton Vellacott 2-47.

Star of Lydeard's batting was Mark Hannaford who steered them to victory with a brilliant knock of 112, which included 19 fours and three sixes. He scored his runs in less than 100 minutes. Westcott, who faced only 20 balls, and Tom Bennett both scored 31 as Roadwater lost for the third time this season.

Lydeard are still in contention, having now won four of their eight fixtures.

Minehead stretched their lead at the top of Division Three - but did not have things all their own way before beating Stoodleigh by seven wickets in a low-scoring game.

Morebath maintained their good start to the season in Division Four with a 66-run victory over Brompton Ralph, who were bowled out for 150 when chasing 217 to win.

Results, Division One: Bridgetown 240-2 (35 pts), Bagborough 237 (12); Crowcombe 113-3 (35), Kilve 109 (8); Watchet 146-5 (34), Sampford Arundel 144-9 (12). Division Two: Cannington (35), Hemyock (0); Roadwater 233-7 (16), Lydeard St Lawrence 234-6 (32); Winsford (0); Stoke St Mary (35). Division Three: Ashbrittle 174-1 (35), Buckland St Mary & Bishopswood 173 (9); Stoodleigh 84 (11), Minehead 85-7 (31). Division Four: Brompton Ralph 150 (12), Morebath 216-5 (35); East Huntspill (35), Roadwater (0); Stoke St Mary 85 (10), Taunton Deane 86-6 (33).