BARTON are back in the B Division for the first time since 2012 – and keen to make their stay there as brief as possible.
Although Ipplepen were doomed to the drop almost from day one, Barton had a glimmer of hope as long as Chudleigh, Hatherleigh remained in catching distance.
Chudleigh away was Barton’s last chance to stay up, but rain washed out the final game of the season and sent the Cricketfield Road side down.
B Division cricket is a far cry from the glory days of the 1980s when Barton were winning Premier Division titles and doing league and cup doubles.
It didn’t help that skipper Adam Parker missed a large slice of the season due to injury, robbing Barton of a genuine all-rounder.
Consistency of selection was another issue with overseas player Jared Seiffert the only player to appear in every game.
Parker is fully fit and raring to go this season with promotion top of his agenda.
“We need to go back up at the first time of asking and we have a good enough squad to do so,” said Parker.
Seifferth has gone from last season’s squad with no replacement in place yet, something Parker is working on.
“We have a West Indian quick bowler keen to come over who has been recommended to us by Ian Gore, who was the overseas at South Devon back in the early 90s,” said Parker.
“He is unlikely to be here for our first game at Ottery, but if all goes according to plan he could be here for week two.”
All-rounder Tom Drake has gone down the road to Torquay to test himself at Premier level – and Barton have wished him well.
Steve Lewis and Andy Mc Veigh have moved in the opposite direction to help Babbacombe’s attempt to get out of the C Division West.
Incoming are Nathan Beech, who has returned from Babbacombe having hardly played in 2016, Ben Mitson (Shaldon) and Jon Martin.
Martin, captain of South Devon for the past two seasons, is back at Barton for a second spell having previously played there between 1999-2004.
The former South Devon captain was the leading English qualified bowler in the B Division last season with 29 wickets – and no one bowled their overs more cheaply.
Parker has wanted Martin for a while and is delighted to have got his man.
“It is going to be great seeing Jon back in a Barton shirt,” said Parker.
“Everyone wants an opening bowler who gives you control up top by bowling line and length – and Jon is brilliant at that.”
OTTERY have a new captain again for the season ahead as Will Harrison has taken over from Rob Crabbe.
Crabb was skipper in 2016 in succession to Lewis Townsend, who had moved away to live and work in Bath.
“He wasn’t enjoying being captain and wanted just to concentrate on playing this year,” said Harrison.
Harrison inherits largely the same set of players Crabb had at his disposal, but with three notable departures.
Devon age-group all-rounder Billy Rudolph has trodden the well-worn path to Exmouth to test himself at Premier level.
Rudolph will be missed, as will Matt Reed and Alex Thurgate.
Reed, now teaching in Oxford, took 20 wickets last season and chipped in with a few runs.
Thurgate, who has gone travelling, claimed 13 wickets in the 10 games he played.
There have been no significant signings over the close season – and certainly no overseas player.
Ottery have come up through the divisions from the old D East without any overseas aid and have no intention of changing that policy.
Ottery finished a respectable fifth in the B Division table last season, their first at that level following promotion. In doing so they became the first former East Devon League club to last more than a season in the B Division since the 2001 merger between the two competitions.
Harrison has no targets for the season ahead, but feels it won’t be long before he gets a feel for Ottery’s prospects.
“Our first two games are against the relegated clubs – Barton and Ipplepen – which will give us some idea of where we are,” said Harrison.
