ASHBRITTLE took another step towards winning the first division championship in the West Somerset Cricket League when they hammered Over Stowey at home by 178 runs.

With only five matches remaining, Ashbrittle have a 79-point lead over their nearest rivals and reigning champions Kilve.

Luke Williams (122) and Andy Hill (96) were both in swashbuckling form as the helped the leaders to score 329-8 in their 40 overs. S Thomas took 3-61 in his nine overs.

Stowey never seriously looked like reaching their target and were bowled out for 151 in 22.4 overs with Oliver White taking 5-34 in 22 balls and Callum White 4-45 in eight overs.

Kilve lost ground on the leaders after going down by 39 runs at home to Bridgetown, who batted first and made 202 for five with Dan Sizer hitting 84 and T Smith 3-28.

Only four of Kilve’s batters managed to get into double figures as they were bowled out for 163 in 33-1 overs with D Cross snapping up 3-43, Sizer 2-44 and C Wookey 2-34.

Churchinford are still without a victory this season after they crashed by nine wickets at home to Bagborough. The home side were bowled out for 140, after losing opener Chris Roberts with only two runs scored.

The Churchinford wickets were shared between Mathew Raffill 2-26, Henry Stirzaker 2-17, Blake Jones 3-30 and Daniel Matthews 2-43.

Bagborough took only 17.6 overs to knock off the runs with Tom Eve (86) and Jeremy Waters (39 not out) sharing in an opening stand of 128. Kristiaqn Morgan took 1-9.

East Huntspill gained their sixth win of the season when they beat Stoke St Mary by seven wickets away. Stoke were 155 all out with Callum Illman top scoring with 49, with 44 of these coming in boundaries. Adam Lee took 4-51 and Louie Glew 3-26.

Opener Pat Chisholm made 52 not out as East Huntspill reached their target in 26 overs with Karanveer Virke also scoring 38.

Watchet are still very much in the driving seat in Division Two after beating Carhampton at home by six wickets. Carhampton struggled to 108 all out with eight batters in single figures against the bowling of Callum Knight (4-22), Dan Bowden (3-19), and Eben Harding (3-25).

Mark Lovell (40) and J Weetch (43) shared in a opening stand of 62 as Watchet won to stay 29 points clear of second-placed Winsford - and the seasiders also have a crucial game in hand.

Winsford were awarded 35 points after Huish Champflower cried off because they could not raise a side.

This was also the case with Crowcombe who were due to play at home to Stoodleigh who conceded the game.