Barton closing in on a B Division promotion place

Seaton skipper Ben Morgan now believes promotion is a possibility for his side

BARTON can widen the gap at the top of the B Division table if they beat Tavistock at Barton Road.

Adam Parker’s men are 13 points clear of second-placed Seaton and 31 ahead of third-placed Tavistock in a division with two promotion places.

A win over Tavistock would go a long way towards securing one of the promotion places by creating a 40-point-ish cushion with 80 to play for.

“It’s a big game this weekend as beating Tavistock will widen that gap nicely,” said barton skipper Adam Parker.

“And with Seaton at home coming up we have a good chance at building a substantial lead going in to the last few games.”

While Tavistock were being denied points by a rain-off against Cullompton last time out, Barton were beating Plymstock.

Said Parker: “Last week was a great bowling effort to win by a decent margin even though we only scored 175. 

Andy Hele was outstanding and his hard hitting gave us that target to defend.

“Being really critical a few of us got out to poor shots, we certainly should have scored a lot more.”

Tavistock skipper Shaun Daymond readily admits his side has it all to do, but that won’t stop them trying.

“The weather didn't do us any favours last week, but with Seaton and Barton to play who knows what can happen?” he said.

Seaton skipper Ben Morgan is staring to consider promotion as a possibility after beating Thorverton by 69 runs in a 35-over game last Saturday.

Morgan’s men are looking comfortable in the second promotion spot behind leaders Barton, 17 points clear of third-placed Tavistock.

“All season our main aim has been, and remains, to stay up, but we cannot hide any more from the real possibility that we have worked ourselves into a position where we could end up in the top two,” said Morgan, whose side play Ipplepen this Saturday.

‘Sitting second with five games to go is something rather special, but it remains to be seen if we can sustain it through to the end of the campaign.”

Seaton are at home to Ipplepen this Saturday. They last graced the A Division in 2006, which ended in relegation alonside arch rivals Axminster.

Shobrooke Park (9th) and Cullompton (8th) meet at Shobrooke in a real relegation battle.

Bottom side Babbacombe are at home to Plymstock with time running out to get away from the relegation places.

Filleigh, who have abandoned thoughts of promotion after losing four of the last five games, are at home to Thorverton.