HEAVY rain put paid to the majority of the West Somerset League programme on Saturday, but one or two sides made hay while their sun shone.

In Division 2, Ashbrittle continued their winning streak with an emphatic victory over Minehead A, opening up a 41-point lead at the top.

With the threat of rain in the air, White called correctly at the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to make the best of the damp conditions.

The rain then came which resulted in the start being delayed by 40 minutes. With both captains keen to play, the match started at the first break of the wet weather.

M. Hill was welcomed back into the team after recovering from a pre-season injury and was first to strike in the seventh over, finding the outside edge of Tudball removing him for seven. The catch was sharply taken by Martyn Norman at first slip after a deflection from the keeper.

Hill then repaid the favour to his opening partner in almost identical fashion next over, taking a good catch at second slip to remove Howard for a duck.

Dyer and Hopkins then fell in quick succession in Norman’s next over - Dyer lofted a catch to I. Williams at mid-on, trying to hit a well-delivered slower-ball over the infield and Hopkins was clean bowled trying to work a ball that swung late through the leg-side.

Morrel was snaffled by White for 18-5 in the 11th over - and this quickly became 22-6 as Richards was run out short of his ground attempting a second run but didn’t count on the gun arm of young Callum White.

Bryant and Hawker then set about trying to set a total, sharing a 13-run partnership before the latter became Norman’s (5-26) fifth wicket, cleaned bowled by an off-cutter that moved up the hill to remove the off stump. Hill then picked up his nine-over spell with figures of 2-19.

Saunders joined Bryant and, together, the two shared the highest partnership of the day for Minehead, adding 21 for the ninth wicket before the introduction of leg spinner I. William’s cleaned the tail with two wickets in two balls and Minehead were all out for just 60.

The teams turned around without taking tea and Lane and R. Hill accumulated 16 runs before Lane was caught for six. Norman came and went for a single, which brought White to the crease.

This pair played with patience and skill to see the away team surpass the total in the 12th over.

Hill carried his bat for a well-composed 39 and White finished a good day 11 not out.

Hemyock had stuttered to 14-2 against Bridgwater Pointers when the rain came down.

In Division 4, a half-century from W. Gadsby (56) and 40 from L. Buller saw North Newton to a total of 215, despite N. Every taking four wickets.

However, Buckland St Mary’s brittle batting collapsed to 68 all out as T. Barham took five wickets.

In Division 1, Bishop’s Hull were on 32-2 when the rains came.