BIDEFORD proved they could live with the best in the B Division this season by beating Barton by seven runs to knock them off the top of the table.

Ewan Williams helped himself to a top score of 82 for Bideford in their 40-over total of 234 for eight. Barton’s target was lowered to 212 to win following a four-over stoppage for rain.

Barton got down to the last six overs needing 59 to win with seven wickets intact with opener Shaun Needham still there and on 79 not out.

Fifteen to win from the final two overs, bowled in order by James and Jack Ford, proved just a few too many for Barton, who finished on 204 for six and drop down to second behind Stoke Gabriel.

Tom Brend, the Bideford captain, described it as ‘a big statement’ win for his side. “Now we just need momentum going forwards,” he added.

Opener Jack Ford scored 42 of the first 66 on the board and there was a lively 21 from Ollie Hannam too.

Williams, in at 88 for three, was involved in stands that accumulated 143 runs before he was dismissed in the final over. A partnership of 86 with James Ford proved crucial in the final adding-up.

“Ewan put on a great display of hitting to get us to a defendable score, helped by both Fords,” said Brend.

Matt Lipton and Stuart Bowker had two wickets each for Barton.

Needham (83) and Tary Masakanda (75) put 151 on the board for Barton’s first wicket before Bideford obtained a breakthrough: James Ford snaring him then Fin Last next ball.

“Both openers never looked like getting out but we stuck at it so well,” said Brend.

Needham was a marked man after that. He kept going until he was run-out with the score on 191.

Bits and pieces from the bottom half of the order were not quite enough for Barton in the face of tight bowling from Jack Ford (1-31) and dad James (3-25).

“It looked fairly beyond us most of the way through,” said Brend. “Huge credit to Ford senior for getting the much-needed breakthroughs.”

Seven days earlier Barton defeated Cullompton in another close encounter: this time the boot was on the other foot.

Steve Lewis, the Barton captain, had a clear perspective on the game and the big moments in it.

“We bowled relatively tight early in their innings, then a great innings from Williams was the difference,” said Lewis.

A few dropped catches cost us dearly – and the last 10 overs going for 100-plus was bad. Good batting, but not smart bowling. 

“A fantastic opening partnership between Shaun and Tary was a great start

“Losing a couple of wickets changed the game and we were poor at the end. We needed to be more intelligent chasing that score.

“Overall, really frustrated to lose the game. A minor setback but we have stuff to work on and we will get it right.”