EXMOUTH did not hang around completing an eight-wicket win at Barton that keeps them out in front of Torquay at the top of the A Division standings.

Barton struggled to 134 all out – Sean Adderley top scoring with a patient 44 – which Exmouth knocked off before the 20-over mark.

Victory gives Exmouth a 16-point lead over Torquay at the top of the table. At the other end of the standings, Barton are one off the bottom.

Adderley went in at first wicket down and by the time he was sixth out on 109 Barton had been through the wringer in more ways than one.

Matt Lipton had been carried off after being struck by an Exmouth fielder trying to throw down the stumps and Greg Shelton was limping around with a runner for company after pulling-up lame.

Exmouth's Jon Martin picked up a couple of wickets on his first return to Cricketfield Road since leaving for the Maer in the winter.

Spin did most of the damage to Barton’s batting with three wickets for the leg-spin of Matt Kimber (3-28), two for Jason Niemand and one for skipper Lawrence Greenway.

Niemand (48) and James Horler (44) put on 86 for Exmouth’s first wicket before Callum Crocker (2-26) split them up. Louis Morison (27no) took Exmouth the rest of the way.

Exmouth had to call for reinforcements from the second team as they were seven players short of a full-strength team – and it was a relieved Greenway who signed for all 20 points afterwards.

“With seven players out it was a potential banana skin for us and we aee lucky to have players such as Sean Day, Jon Martin and Richard Baggs who still have the quality and desire to help out when required,” said Greenway.

“Sean and Jon were brilliant with the new ball, it really set the tone for us and their experience was exactly what you need at a ground like Barton. 

“Jason and Matt bowled well and Matt really deserved his three wickets.”

Greenway described the run chase as ‘very clinical and professional’ after Horler and Niemand made it a comfortable affair from the start.”