B DIVISION leaders Barton administered a 148-run hiding to Budleigh Salterton at Cricketfield Road.

Tarry Masakanda, Barton’s former Zimbabwean Test played, top scored with 93 in the leaders’ total of 271 for seven.

Masakanda’s stand of 148 with Nick Watkin kept Budleigh’s fielders busy – and getting him out didn’t make much difference.

Watkin, back at Barton after stints with Torquay & Kingskerswell and Abbotskerswell, went on to make 81 in a running total of 221 for five. Adam Parker (20) and Fin Last (32) inflated the final tally.

Joe Marley (3-46) was the lone Budleigh bowler to take more than one wicket. 

Budleigh could not have had a worse start – opener Ed Doble out second ball – and with half the side out for 76 there was only one likely outcome.

Max Mejzner (46no) and Luke Domaschenz (25) made Budleigh’s only significant scores before they were bowled out for 123.

Watkin (5-32) completed a man-of-the-match performance with a five-wicket haul. Stuart Bowker helped himself to three for 26.

Steve Lewis, the Barton skipper, said: “It was our best performance yet – 99 per cent of the game went well – but there is more to come.

“Shaun Needham (20) and Tarry were superb up top again – then Tarry and Nick Watkin took the game away from them.

“Fin Last’s innings needs to be noted as to get us to 270 created psychological pressure.

“Bowling wise, a wicket in the first over for Callum set the tone. 

“Budleigh had a slight partnership for the second wicket, but Bowker and Watkin kept getting wickets at crucial times to make it a massive win and huge statement to end the half.”

Barton remain ten points clear of Stoke Gabriel at the top of the table. Budleigh have dropped below half way.

BARTON have re-signed bowling all-rounder Cole Harford, who has been with Paignton since 2018.

Cole will be teaming-up again with brother Morgan in a Barton side gunning for promotion.

Steve Lewis, the Barton captain, has been working hard re-assembling a squad of players who were home grown. Harford is another of them.

“Cole is a top cricketer, a great personality to have and great signing,” said Lewis.

“He is another player who came through the Barton youth ranks also.

“I am not sure how many sides can say they start with 10 players who have come through their youth system most weeks.”

[0] All-rounder Mark Gilmour, who counts Barton among his former clubs, has moved from Abbotskerswell back to Paignton.