CHAMPIONS Ashbrittle started the new season in ruthless fashion by defeating Winsford by 146 runs on Saturday.

Batting first, Ashbrittle reached 203-7, but the visitors were never in the hunt and were bowled out for just 57. Andy Hill was the star with bat and ball, hitting 73 with the willow and following it up with excellent figures of 5-11.

Last year's runners-up Stogumber strolled to a comfortable eight-wicket victory at home to Taunton Deane Crusaders.

Nat Pepperell (26), Charlie Axon (39) and Gus Fraser (30) all got starts but the heart of the innings was ripped out by the superbly flighted off breaks off Simon Penny, who took 5-33 from 9.5, as Crusaders were dismissed for 141 with two overs left.

Stuart Thorne (49) and James Weetch (66 not out) flayed the bowling to all parts as Stogumber cruised home in the 21st over.

L. Hooper (63) and M. Drewer (69) hit half centuries as Dulverton reached 226-5 at home to Morebath who were then bowled out for 170, D. Heard taking 4-28.

S. Hayes snapped up great figures of 6-20 to help skittles Carhampton out for 60 after Roadwater had earlier scored 133 with Will Sherring taking 5-27. O. Rew took 6-59 for Crowcombe who won by four wickets at home to Brompton Ralph.

Arguably, the performance of the day came in Division Two, where 17-year-old Chris Sealy finished with astonishing figures of 6-7 from 4.1 overs as Lydeard St Lawrence beat Blagdon Hill by five wickets. All Sealy's wickets were cleaned bowled and helped dismiss Blagdon for 110. In reply, St Lawrence made it to victory for the loss of five wickets.

A similarly devastating spell of bowling from Gavin Fitzpatrick helped West Monkton to a 20-run win at Bishop's Hull. Fitzpatrick scored 33 and skipper Ned Binding 22 as Monkton were bowled out for 148 with eight overs to spare.

But that proved enough as Fitzpatrick (5-24) took four wickets in an over, including a hat-trick to help dismiss the hosts for 128 in the final over. Pieter Tosen finished with 3-12, while Ed Welstead top scored with 38, Gareth Bellamy smashed an unbeaten 106 to help Huish Champflower to an eight-wicket triumph away to Over Stowey.

Nick Hutchings took 6-11 for Casuals who bowled hosts Bridgetown out for 67. Casuals lost three wickets in pursuit of their target.

In Division Three, Timberscombe opened with an eight-wicket victory away to Taunton CS Radiac and Outcasts 2nds. Ranju Roy hit 62 as the home team were bowled out for 131, J. Kidd taking 6-43. B. Lang then made 62 not out as the visitors cruised home. M. Luckhurst took 7-38 for Cutcombe but could not prevent a 49 run defeat at the hands of Hinkley Point.

Wiveliscombe's Derek Sharland (5-39) and R. Buckingham (4-28) combined to dismiss Buckland St Mary for 118. Wivey reached their target for the loss of four batsmen.

Thomas Evans hit 54 for Bagborough 2nds in their 80-run win over Ashbrittle 2nds.

Maurice Burns' unbeaten 96 was not enough to prevent Fitzhead 2nds going down by seven runs away to Taunton A. They closed on 210-6 after Taunton had earlier hit 217-4, Mickey Masters making 55 and Hunt 43.

B. Plumridge snapped up 5-18 for Bishop's Hull 2nds in their 59-run victory away to Trull Crusaders.

Nathan Darlow took 5-27 for Brompton 2nds in their 35-run triumph at home to Stoke St Gregory.

Brompton's 3rds made 181-4 at home to Dulverton 2nds - Mike Wright hit a fine 82 not out - but it was not enough as the visitors reached their target after losing five wickets, R. Snell scoring 50.