BARTON are getting dragged into a relegation battle they had hoped to avoid after a two-wicket defeat in a low-scoring affair with Seaton.

Seamus McKenna marked his return to cricket after a two-year break with a top score of 32 in Barton’s 129 all out.

Seaton experienced problems from Jonny Martin and McKenna, who took three wickets each, but got home with three overs to spare.

Defeat meant Barton dropped behind Seaton in the bottom half of the table and sit two points ahead of Thorverton, who visit Cricketfield Road this Saturday.

If Barton lose they will be in the bottom three relegation places. Having dropped a division last season, another relegation fight was the last thing skipper Adam Parker wanted.

McKenna (32) and Calum Moses (31) were Barton’s only run getters of note. They put on 60 for the third wicket.

McKenna, the former Bovey Tracey and Shaldon batsman, was sixth out – one of four scalps for Seaton’s Tim Mitchell.

Moses is Barton’s new overseas player. The 20-year-old all-rounder is a graduate of the Stellenbosch University – breeding ground of future rugby and cricket stars in South Africa.

Mitchell (4-31) accounted for most of the front-end batters. Joel Seward (4-13) went through the lower order like a dose of salts.

Knocking off the runs was a struggle for Seaton, who were wobbling up top after Jon Martin (3-24) nipped out Matt Hewer and Joel Seward in a total of seven for two.

Dad and lad Brian (20) and Josh Cann (26) made a 46-run dent in the deficit and at 93 for four Seaton were looking good.

Wickets fell to Martin, McKenna (3-15) and Stuart Bowker as Seaton dipped to 108 for seven, Ben Morgan out for 20.

Rob Prior’s 18 not out at number eight saw Seaton through, to the delight og skipper Morgan.

“It was a massive win for us,” beamed Morgan.

“We bowled and fielded well which set us up nicely.

“Barton have a good bowling attack and caused us a couple of scares.

“It was a proper team performance with everyone chipping in.

“That's two in a row for us now going into this Saturday’s game with Shobrooke.”

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