BARTON go into Saturday’s game at Lewdown boosted by a three-wicket win over newly promoted Ipplepen.

Ipplepen made 190 all out in the 43rd of their 50 overs – helped significantly by a whopping total of 50 extras.

Sam Wakeham top scored off the bat with 41 off 42 balls.

Shaun Needham was Barton’s man of the moment with the bat, cracking along to 99 not out as Barton chewed up the total with more than 13 overs to go.

For beaten captain Keith Wakeham it was a harsh introduction to A Division cricket, which Pens find themselves in after two successive promotions.

“We didn’t play that badly and we were definitely competitive, but realise we will have to bat better and bowl more tightly,” said Wakeham.

Dave Harris (26) held Pens’ early order together – and when he departed to Needham (2-29) Seb Powell (37) took over.

Barton didn’t bowl very straight – they served up 37 wides – which kept the scoreboard ticking over during quiet periods.

Wakeham provided some middle-order impetus, moving the score from 119 for five to 178 for six with Powell.

The last five wickets went for just 12 runs with Tom Drake taking four of them on his way to a five-for-32 bag.

Barton started hesitantly – openers Will Grainger and Steve Lewis were early casualties to Ethan Keller (3-42).

Needham and Drake put on 61 for the third wicket and from then on Barton were in control.

There was the odd blip – Scott Baldry was out for one on his debut – but Mark Gilmour  (24), Parker (10) and Jared Seiffert (22) all chipped in.

When Seiffert fell to Steve Bowden (3-52) the target was four to win and Needham got those in a couple of hits.

For Barton skipper Adam Parker it was a job almost well done, but not quite.

“Ipplepen went off really fast – 50 for one in less than 10 overs – but Tom Drake and Shaun Needham did well to slow them down,” said Parker.

“We are still giving away too many extras in wides, just like we did last season, and that is something we have to work on.

“Getting Ipplepen all out for 190 was psychologically good for us as chasing 200 always seems a lot harder.

“Shaun batted really well, waiting for the bad ball to come along and hitting it to the ropes.

“A few of us gave our wickets away and that cost us the full 20 points.

“Having said that, I will take a win and 19 points any day of the season.”

Ipplepen will be aiming to do better against visiting Paignton this Saturday.