POTTERNE skipper Neil Clark would love to see to his side carry on shining right through to the season’s end but finishing off the job of sealing promotion to the West of England Premier League’s top tier remains the immediate aim.

The villagers are closing in on a second promotion in three years after thrashing a depleted Weston-super-Mare side by 180 runs last weekend – their 12th victory from 15 games this season.

Potterne are 31 points clear at the top of the table with three games to go and Clark is hoping that victory at second-from-bottom Chard will be enough to get his team over the line, effectively leaving second-placed Taunton with too much to do.

“We want to try and win the last three games to take some momentum into the next season,” said the Potterne captain.

“Getting promoted into Premier One would be brilliant. We’ve beaten Bath and we’ve beaten Frocester in the past, so we know that we’d be able to hold our own but it would just be a lot more difficult.

“I think that a win this weekend would pretty much do it but we’re not getting too carried away yet.

“Chard won last weekend and they’re good on their own ground. I don’t think their wicket is the greatest and they know how to play on it, but if we keep doing what we have been doing, I think we can get the result we want.”

Potterne were put in to bat by Weston and their first three wickets fell for 55 runs but the visitors were soon made to pay as Ed Young smashed away a fantastic 153 from 113 deliveries, which included 18 fours and five sixes.

Ollie Smith also weighed in with 46 as the champions-elect posted a fearsome 313-7.

The Potterne bowlers then piled on the pressure, with Young again starring with figures of 3-24 as Weston were skittled for 133 in just over 33 overs.

Elsewhere, Goatacre are now just four points ahead of the drop zone following their two-wicket defeat to Keynsham.

Jif Wilkins hit 77 as the hosts, batting first after winning the toss, were dismissed for 193 in the final over of their innings.

Despite Jack Haines’ 4-54, Keynsham reached 194-8 with six overs to spare.