WATCHET maintained their unbeaten record in the first division of the West Somerset Cricket League with a six-wicket home victory over struggling Brompton Ralph.

Brompton, put into bat, scored 186 all out with opener Will Ruell top scoring with 61 while Robert Chiplin was run out for 53. Eben Harding took 3-36, Liam Woolgrove 2-21, Callum Knight 2-38 and Ben Robertson 2-23.

Opener Matt Lovell led the chase for runs with 54 while Ryan Strong was still there at the close of the Watchet innings with 58 not out. Zac Whitaker snapped up 2-56.

Kilve, however, stay 14 points clear at the top after winning by 34 runs at Morebath. Kilve, who have played one more game than second-placed Watchet, scored 178-9 while Morebath were all out for 144 in 30.2 overs.

Champions Ashbrittle, who lost their unbeaten record to Kilve the previous weekend, won by eight wickets away to Bridgetown. Last season’s winners scored 155-2 in reply to Bridgetown’s 151 all out.

Bagborough were 76-run winners against East Huntspill. Batting first Bagborough scored 243-8 with Blake Jones hitting 57, Michael Clark 42 and Tom Eve 34. Ollie Watt finished with figures of 2-42, Louie Glew 2-33 and Andrew Chedzey 2-53.

Tilly Bond took 4-46 as Huntspill were bowled out for 167 while Brad Lock took 2-55 and Blake Jones 2-36. Adam Harding was Huntspill’s top scorer with 50 while Watt made 30.

Bottom side Winsford are still without a victory after they lost by seven wickets away to Over Stowey. Winsford, who lost the toss, batted first and were bowled out for exactly 100, never seriously recovering from 8-3. Ryan Dean top scored with 31, while Ben Washer took 5-56, Kieran Barrow 2-10 and Indika Wearawarna 2-11. James Swales, opening the innings for Stowey, knocked 34 with five fours and one six.

Crowcombe have stretched their lead at the top of the second division after they beat Roadwater by 21 runs. Batting first Crowcombe scored 246-8 while Roadwater knocked 225-8 in reply.

Victory enabled Crowcombe to go 91 points clear of second placed Lydeard St Lawrence who lost by a masssive 215 runs against Stogumber who, batting first, piled up 322-9 in their 40 overs, while Lydeard slumped to 107 all out in 27 overs.

Churchinford, now up to fourth in the table, were another side to top 300 runs playing against Stoke St Mary on a damp and murky day. Star of Churchinford’s innings of 315-3 was opener Chris Roberts who slammed 145 with 21 fours and three sixes. Ali Layard hit 57 and Tom Kornacki 73 not out.

Stoke opener Ashton Norie led his side’s response with a rapid 122, with 13 fours and seven sixes, while Rowan Keyte scored 24. Stoke lost their last six wickets for 36 as they were bowled out for 36 with Leo Carpenter taking 2-40, Luke de Haan 2-32 and Edward Vaughan 2-3 in four balls.

Meanwhile, the big match of the day in the first division on Saturday, July 12, is the clash between Ashbrittle and Watchet, who have 40 more points than their rivals but are still very much in the hunt to retain their title.

Kilve play at home to East Huntspill while Bridgetown are away to Brompton Ralph who have yet to win a game and are second from bottom.