IPPLEPEN made it three wins in a row on the way out of the B Division basement with a 26-run victory at Barton, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Barton’s bowlers made life hard for Ipplepen with runs hard to come by when the ball was new, although Mawgan Penrice (23) and Sam Wakeham (32) ground out what they could.

Middle-order runs from Matt Beasant (25) and Andrew Bligh (11),  plus 20 wides, all proved crucial in the context of a low-scoring game as Pens made it to 155 all out.

Morgan Harford (4-34) booked Barton’s best set of bowling figures. Matt Lipton and Matt Needham claimed two wickets apiece.

Barton’s top order did not offer a lot – Pens’ spinners Harry Lewis (3-29) and Noah Rider (4-35) made sure of that – until Cephas Zhuwao (44) and captain Adam Parker settled in.

The chase had reached 103 for five when Ryder added Zhuwao to Parker in his basket and from then on Barton steadily declined to 129 all out.

Freddie Harvey (2-10) helped finish what Rider and Lewis started as Barton lost their last five wickets for 26 runs.