WATCHET have taken another step towards winning the first division championship in the West Somerset Cricket League after beating East Huntspill by seven wickets to stay ahead of their main rivals, Kilve and Ashbrittle.

Choosing to bat first, East Huntspill were bowled out for only 118 by Watchet’s bowling attack spearheaded by Callum Knight (4-22) and Martin Strong (3-4). Dallon Doyle scored 50 not out, which included seven fours, while Ollie Watt hit 22. Alastair Harrison was 35 not out as the seasiders cruised to a win in just over 17 overs.

Victory enabled Watchet to remain unbeaten and to open up a 21-point lead over second-placed Kilve who lost by 82 runs against fourth-placed Bridgetown who, batting first, scored 218 all out with James McDermott knocking 69 while Charlie Gliddon made 33. Josh Taylor took 3-19, Carl Clemenson 2-37 and Tom Wilcox 2-62.

Kilve never seriously took up the challenge and were all out for 136 in 27.4 overs with Clemenson top scoring with 32 while Wheatley James hit 27. Henry Bond took 3-32, Daniel Cross 3-13 and Dan Thorne 2-45.

Champions Ashbrittle kept in touch with the leaders in third place after beating Bagborough by five wickets. Bagborough chose to bat first and scored 214 all out with runs being scored mostly by late-order batters - B Jones (57), J Martin (40 not out), C Swinburne (26) and P Yorke-Smith (27). S Grant snapped up 5-34, C White 2-45 and O White 2-45.

Luke Williams scored 55 off 45 balls for Ashbrittle whose other main batters were J Sharland 53 not out and Grant 32. B Jones took 3-80 and M Rafill 2-54.

In the only other game played in the top division, Morebath won by 55 runs against Over Stowey. Morebath’s openers D Coles (62) and S Kelland (68) put on 139 before being parted while J Carey was 33 not out and S Nelson and D Rotterbury both knocked 33. K Barrow took 4-52.

In reply Stowey scored 243-8 with Barrow 96 not out while S Burland made 44. S Nelson took 3-49 and J Weeks 3-49.

In Division Two, Crowcombe were handed the points by title rivals Sampford Arundel who now trail the leaders by 119 runs.

Stoke St Mary fought out a close match against Roadwater, eventually winning by only five runs. Stoke chose to bat first and scored 255-8 in their 40 overs with D Batchelor slamming 104 off 96 balls, with 16 fours and two sixes. G Johnson hit 51 and J Harding 29 while J Murch took 4-39 and V Kombath 3-42.

Roadwater finished just short of their target, replying with 250-7 in their 40 overs with Murch knocking 70, R Lobb 52 not out and J Cornish 42. Six of Stoke’s bowlers took wickets with the best being D Callow with 2-30.

Lydeard St Lawrence, lying third in the table, also won an exciting game, beating Stogumber by six runs in a high-scoring match. Lydeard, put into bat, made 291-8 in their allotted overs with Tom Meek and Tom Westcott both hitting half-centuries while Sam Sturgess snapped up 3-27 and G Waldeck 2-35.

In a bold reply, Stogumber were 285-8 at the close with M Richings 111 not out while opener Peter Horton scored 67 and Nick Bennett 32. Westcott took 4-50 and Clayton Vellacott 3-51.