BARTON are the new leaders in the Tolchards DCL B Division thanks to a 31-run win over Chudleigh at Kate Brook.

Stoke Gabriel surrendered pole position by losing to Cullompton, who now occupy Barton’s former spot in second.

Chudleigh remain in the bottom two with Teignmouth & Shaldon for company on 29 points each.

To make matters worse, there is a sizable gap opening up already between ninth-placed Chudleigh and the closest team, Clyst St. George.

In this one, Tary Masakanda larruped exactly 100 from 90 balls faced – 12 fours, two sixes – as Barton reached 173 all out. He was eighth out on 157.

Chudleigh bowlers Will Heather and Mike Brown booked identical figures of three for 45 from nine overs. Luke Quaintance (2-12 off 8) was particularly hard to score against.

Chudleigh looked to be in a strong position on the chase at 91 for two, although captain Matt Heather (37) had been and gone by then.

It all went south for Chudleigh in the time it took for them to slide from 91 for two to 119 for eight.

Morgan Harford (5-24) started the slump, which was finished by Masakanda (2-37) and Sree Sankaranaryanan (2-17).

Matt Heather, the Chudleigh captain, said the big disappointment for him was letting a wining position slip away.

“We managed the game well when bowling to keep Barton to a chasable score, but couldn't finish the job,” said Heather.