Barton opener Steve Lewis tucks into the Bovey bowling on the way to a half-century<br>credit: Steve Pope / Mid-Devon Advertiser

BARTON walloped Bovey Tracey 2nd XI by 169-runs to push them deeper into relegation trouble in the B Division.

Bovey Tracey were confronted with a Barton total of 340 for five and were bowled-out in reply for 171.

Defeat leaves Bovey second from bottom in the table with 14 points to find – and keep – to get ahead of Plymstock and reach safety. They have a chance at that this Saturday when the two sides meet at Dean Cross.

Barton could be heading in the opposite direction if they carry on winning. Six on the trot have hoisted them from third from bottom to fourth from top.

Looking at their remaining fixtures, the distance between Barton (204pts) and top two Bideford (218) and Stoke Gabriel (216) is negligible..

Barton play Bideford this Saturday, and Stoke on the final day of the season. They have a big say in their destiny without relying on helpful results.

Club captain Steve Lewis opened up with 50 for Barton. The real fireworks were yet to come.

Mo Basit, in at 76 for two, smashed the Bovey bowling all around the Ashburton Road ground to make 154. Twenty-four fours and two sixes – that’s 108 in boundaries – kept the board ticking over.Bovey seamer Harry Pitman in full cry

Team captain Nick Watkin chipped in with 62 not out in a stand of 181 with Basit, which ended when the latter was bowled by Bovey skipper Dan Green (3-67).

Brad Causey (51) top scored for Bovey. He was fourth in at 41 and ninth out on 169. Sam Harvey made 26 and Harry Pitman 24.

Lewis Crocker (4-45) ripped out the Bovey middle-order as they stumbled from 104 for three to 125 for eight. If Crocker didn’t get them, Riley Calland (3-28) did.

Green’s focus now is largely the next game, not the last one.

Lewis said it would be a mistake to think Barton’s huge total and wide winning margin was attributable to Basit alone.

“Although Muhammad produced one of the better innings I’ve seen in a Barton shirt, we batted around him well to post the mammoth total. Our batting depth showed.

“We bowled tight up top to really kill the game early, which meant we could try different things to get the 10 wickets. Bovey  battled really well to try and stop us.”

“Not a lot to say about our toughest day out of the season,” said Green. “Well batted to Basit: he gave us nothing.

“On to Plymstock next.”