ASHBRITTLE have moved up to within two points of leaders Crowcombe after gaining a decisive victory over Morebath in the first division of the West Somerset Cricket League.

On a day when a number of games were cancelled or abandoned, Ashbrittle won by eight wickets to collect the maximum 35 points on offer.

Morebath, put into bat, were bowled out for 126 in 28 overs with Luke Milton taking 5-24 in seven fine overs, while C White took 3-32 and W Barrington 2-24.

Luke Milton enjoyed a splendid game, steering Ashbrittle to victory with an unbeaten 68 which included six fours and five sixes. Opener W Embleton also made an unbeaten 32 and shared in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 114 with Milton.

In the only other match which got underway in the division, Bagborough had made seven for the loss of a wicket after only 13 balls being bowled in the game against reigning champions Watchet who have now had two games abandoned.

The two games cancelled in the division were: Over Stowey v Bridgetown, and Sampford Arundel v Kilve.

Hemyock are finding it tough going in the second division after being promoted. They crashed to a 188-run home defeat against Stogumber who batted first and made 264-8 in their 40 overs with D Godfrey being their leading run-getter with 83, while Elliott Brick scored 36, M Richings 32 not out and opener Elias Hayes 32. Adam Welch bowled well to take 3-50 while Shish Kumar took 2-27.

Hemyock had no answer to the bowling of Peter Horton who finished with six wickets at a cost of only 11 runs from 8.2 overs. L Penny picked up 3-14.

Stogumber moved up to second in the table, only 12 points behind the early leaders Stoke St Mary.

Unfortunately, the other three matches - Churchinford v Cannington, Lydeard St Lawrence v Stoke St Mary and Winsford v Cutcombe - were all cancelled without any play.

Minehead’s third string have opened up a 54 point lead at the top of Division Three after they won by 69 runs away to Wiveliscombe. The seasiders, put into bat, scored 188-5 in their 30 overs with opener C Paterson hitting 103, with 16 fours and a six. A Rajan scored 37 and shared in a 95-run partnership for the second wicket with Paterson.

Wiveliscombe were bowled out for 119 in 25.4 overs with Rajan taking 4-23, S Anilkumar 3-23 and V Cobb 2-24. B Lipscombe hit 50 with five fours and three sixes while J Warren made 32.

It was a good weekend for Stogumber whose second team won by 142 runs away to Stoke St Mary in Division Four, while Brompton Ralph won by 31 runs in a 30-overs a side game against East Huntspill.

Results, Division One: Bagborough 7-1 (12), Watchet (13); Morebath 126 (8), Ashbrittle 127-2 (35); Over Stowey (12), Bridgetown (12); Sampford Arundel (12), Kilve (12). Division Two: Churchinford (12), Cannington (12); Hemyock 76 (11), Stogumber 264-8 (35); Lydeard St Lawrence (12), Stoke St Mary (12); Winsford (12), Cutcombe (12). Division Three: Ashbrittle (35), Fitzhead (0); Buckland St Mary & Bishopswood (35), Over Stowey (0); Stoodleigh (12), Carhampton (12); Wiveliscombe 119 (10), Minehead 188-5 (34). Division Four: Brompton Ralph 144-4 (28), East Huntspill 113-6 (30); Spaxton (12), Morebath (12); Stoke St Mary 92 (11), Stogumber 234-7 (35); Taunton Deane (12), Roadwater (12).