SANDFORD effectively banished any fears of relegation from the A Division with a run-rate win over Barton.

Richard Foan hit a half-century and Matt Hopkins was five runs short of another as Sandford racked up 215 for seven in 49 overs.

Barton were 70 for three in the 22^nd over when rain stopped play and were beaten on run-rate. The par score at that stage was 93 and Barton were 23 runs short.

Sandford now sit fifth in the table of ten, 29 points clear of Barton who are in the second relegation place.

Sandford should be 100 per cent safe this Saturday after their game against Lewdown is out of the way.

Barton have plenty to worry about as they are 14 points from safety with Plympton to play this Saturday.

If Adam Parker’s team lose to Plympton they have to hope Hatherleigh and Chudleigh lose too, against Budleigh Salterton and Paignton respectively.

Then it will come down to Barton beating Chudleigh on the last day, which may not be enough should Hatherleigh win their derby date with Lewdown.

Foan and Russ Discombe (25) put on 97 for Sandford’s first wicket in a stand against barton that ended when Mark Gilmour (2-32) dismissed Discombe.

Foan was next to go for 54, one of two scalps for left-arm spinner Stuart Bowker.

When Adrian Small and Matt Theedom went for a run between them, Sandford had slipped to 104 for four from 97 for none.

Hopkins (45) and Shaun Hawkins (20) ground out a stand of 47 for the fifth wicket, which was trumped by another of 49 between Hopkins and Tom Gidney (23no).

Gilmour, Bowker, Jamie Peters (2-21) and Adam Parker all kept it tight with the ball for Barton.

Opener Steve Lewis made a patient 28 in the anchorman role for Barton, He was out in the over before the terminal stoppage.

Jamie Palmer (2-20) was Sandford’s most effective bowler.