Devon Cricket League 1st XI A division

Cornwood 267-9,

Barton 83 all out;

Cornwood (20 points) beat Barton (four) by 184 runs

Cornwood recovered well to post a challenging target after being in a really sticky situation at 39-4.

Two key partnerships were crucial in enabling the recovery to take place. Firstly, Jackson Thompson and Jason Hall put on 79 for the fifth wicket and then Elliott Staddon and Matt Butterworth dem­onstrated that Corn­wood can bat deep down the order.

The pair put on a vital 88 runs to effectively take the game away from Barton.

In reply, Cornwood's opening pair did all the damage, with both Craig James and Adam Goodliffe bowling impressive spells that ripped through the Barton defence.

The game was quickly wrapped up inside 20 overs and the 20 points gained for Corns set up an interesting look to the top of the A division, with three sides now all tied on 151 points.

Jackson's fine run-a-ball knock of 65 was a steadying influence on the team and allowed the side to build a recovery after the flurry of early wickets threatened to upset Corn­wood's afternoon. His experience was vital in this situation.

Elliott then demonstrated his abilities, coming in to bat at number eight and for the second time showing great calmness to bat Cornwood back into contention.

Also a return to form of bowler Craig James, putting in his best performance of the season, meant that the Barton batsmen had no respite, with Adam Goodliffe bowling his normal tight lines from the pavilion end.

With Brixham losing against Budleigh the results have kind of worked in Cornwood's favour, but with eight matches remaining it's evident that every point will be vital in the race back to the premier division.

Meanwhile, Corn­wood second XI picked up just six points when they lost out to North Devon by six wickets, despite half-centuries by Roca and Horgan.

The result means Cornwood are sitting in the relegation zone of the 2nd XI premier division.

The third team also suffered a defeat, losing to Torquay's second team by seven wickets, again despite half-centuries from Richardson and Demendonca.