BRAUNTON’S bumpy ride around the B Division continued with a hefty eight-wicket defeat at Barton.

That’s two wins on the spin for Barton – and not a dropped point in sight – on the way from third from bottom to fifth in the table.

Once Braunton had been bowled out for 74 in the 21st of the 50 overs available to them, the Kelsey side were heading for a probable defeat.

Steve Lewis (24) and Muhammad Basit (20) were the not out batters when Barton won it.

Braunton’s batting had been picked apart by seamers Sree Sankaranaryanan (5-24) and Riley Calland (4-24).

“Sree didn’t leave the stumps alone and was pretty unplayable,” said Barton captain Steve Lewis. 

“Fin Last and Riley Calland also bowled brilliant spells.”

Theo Valeri (21) top scored for Braunton, who collapsed in a heap from 63 for five to 74 all out in a 19-ball span.

As Stoke Gabriel successfully defended 107 all out two weeks earlier on the same ground, there was a glimmer of hope for a while. It didn’t last long. Barton had the runs knocked off inside 15 overs.

Although Barton lost opener Devanshu Sinha for six-ball duck, Fin Last (22) was the only other casualty on the way to victory.

“Fin Last put the game beyond Braunton, allowing me (24no) and Basit (20) to get over the line,” said Lewis

“It was a massively disappointing result at the wrong time for us,” said Braunton captain Sam Reddick. “We were completely blown away by Barton. 

“We played so well in the two weeks previously, but could not display enough grit and determination on what was an extremely bowler-friendly deck. 

“We absolutely have to bounce back against Seaton next as we have dropped from fifth to ninth. Home games are going to be vital for us now.”