BARTON skipper Adam Parker is keen to keep the momentum going against Shobrooke Park after his side won at Ottery.

Three wickets each for Parker and spinner Stuart Bowler had Ottery back in the hutch for 122.

Barton, who had to bat before tea, made a hesitant start that saw them 38 for four in the 12th over.

Scott Bellamy and Greg Shelton stayed calm under pressure to take Barton in sight of victory.

Parker’s stated aim this season is promotion at the first attempt – and he has just the start he wanted.

“We had to start the season with a convincing performance and we did that,” said Parker.

“As our pre-season was a wash-out, for the majority of the players it was their first run-out of grass.

“If you take that into consideration we bowled well and could argue had we held our chances we would have been chasing a lot less.

“Batting-wise they bowled well and put us under some pressure before tea.

“Bellamy and Shelton put on a good partnership playing some great shots which won us the game.”

Looking ahead to Shobrooke Park, Parker said: “We will be going for a positive result and making sure each player performs to the best of their ability.

“If we manage that then we have the ability to compete with all the teams including Shobrooke.

“We haven't played them for a while so it is hard to judge how the game will go so we just have to concentrate on our own game.”

Billy Reed (31) was the only top-five Ottery batter to survive an early roughing up from Jon Martin (2-16) and Mark Gilmour (2-43) in a total of 27 for four.

Read was seventh out at 72 – the second of three scalps for Parker (3-22).

Rob Johns (16) and Matt Reed (27) added some credibility to the score with a stand of 37 for the eighth wicket.

The boot was on the other foot while Joe Birch (2-26) and Will Harrison (2-44) were running through Barton’s top order.

Shelton made 33 with Bellamy in a stand of 56 with Bellamy, who was undefeated on 38 when the target was reached.

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