Barrow's ton helps Bath to the top after beating title rivals

Bath went top of Premier One of the Globe Sports West of England Premier League with a resounding nine-wicket home success over title rivals Frocester at North Parade.

Skipper Nick Trainor dominated the visitors' 40-over total of 222 for six with his fourth century of the campaign, hitting 111 (seven fours, eight sixes) as Mark Hardinges offered some support with 30 runs, while Bath bowler Harry Rouse was particularly frugal, conceding 18 runs from eight overs. Tom Stayt claimed two for 48.

A stand of 131 between Alex Barrow (108 not out) and James Campbell (65) put Bath on their way to victory with seven overs in hand. Bath are 12 points clear of Frocester.

Bristol edged closer to safety with a crucial nine-wicket home defeat of relegation rivals Weston-super-Mare.

The visitors struggled to 115 all out after losing the toss, Bristol claiming early wickets.

Will Rudge (three for 35) and Mike Willmott (one for 15 from eight overs) gave the home side a perfect start with Gloucestershire's Vikram Banerjee (three for 11), Richard Morrison (one for 27) and Neil Pollard (one for 24) also keeping the pressure on as Andy Fear top-scored on 23. The total was well within reach for the home side as Charlie Walker (65 not out) and Will Tavare (32) brought up victory in the 25th over.

The result moved Bristol up a place to sixth, but with two rounds of matches to go Steve Snell's side are only 18 points clear of bottom side Corsham who could yet wriggle out of trouble after a stunning four-wicket home victory over high-flying Bridgwater.

Opener Merv Hallaran dominated the home side's total of 210 for eight with 115.

Some of Bridgwater's big performers were unable to support him on the day. Number three Callum Haggett was out first ball, one of Tom Bowler's two victims, and Ian Bishop also went for a duck.

Corsham made steady progress in their reply with the asking rate of a fraction more than five runs an over always in their sights.

Opener Robin D'souza was the top scorer with 35 from 32 balls, adding to his all-round performance having taken two for 28 from his eight overs. All the batsman reached double figures with Ashur Morrison (30) and Steve Bullen (29) seeing Corsham home.

Thornbury, keen to preserve their top-flight status after last year's promotion, dropped a place to ninth after slipping to their fifth successive defeat, this time going down by seven wickets at home to Taunton St Andrews who chased a rain-reduced target of 186 with almost 13 overs to spare.

Opener James Trundley led the charge with an unbeaten 104 and skipper Kevin Parsons weighed in with an unbeaten 55.

Earlier, Thornbury were indebted to Greg Stephens (56) and Sam Bracey (50) who shored up the innings after losing a flurry of early wickets, Mike Parsons taking four for 20 from nine overs.

The South Gloucestershire outfit have arguably the toughest run-in of the bottom five, facing a trip to Frocester before concluding their campaign against in-form Downend, who secured a two-wicket triumph at Taunton Deane.

Jack Leach's unbeaten 74 helped the home side reach 203 for five off 37 overs, Phil Jackson (two for 47) and Christian Purchase (one for 20 from seven overs) the pick of the attack.

Matt Jackson then held the Downend reply together with 85 off 66 deliveries (two fours, seven sixes) as the visitors nipped in with a ball to spare.

In Premier Two, Bristol West Indians are in danger of returning straight back to the Bristol & Somerset Division after suffering a fourth successive reverse, this time a 141-run humbling by Warminster.

Opener Chris Poulton dominated the visitors' total of 244 for four with an unbeaten 112 before the Bristol side were rumbled for 103, Dominic Webb claiming three for 22.

Keynsham are up to fourth after securing a seven-wicket win at bottom side Taunton. Sam Wheller (two for 35) and Sam Pollinger (two for 47) struck for the visitors as Taunton reached 184 for six.

Keynsham were in trouble at 47 for three, but Paul Robbins (66) and Richard Pannell (61) then shared an unbroken stand of 138 to secure victory with six overs to spare.

Crowcombe are favourites to retain their title in Division One of the West Somerset Cricket League after beating championship rivals West Monkton by 23 runs.

They now have an 11-point lead over second-placed Brompton Ralph – and also have a crucial match in hand.