By Isle of Wight Observer
Ventnor opener, Mark Fletcher, carried his bat with a terrific ton and defied the efforts of bowlers for 45 overs. There was success for Shanklin, centuries for Northwood’s Cooper brothers, but disappointment for Ryde and Ventnor first elevens, as fixtures build up and competitions are nearing their final weeks.
Southern Premier & Hants
In Premier Division One, Ventnor lost by 63 runs at home to Portsmouth. The visitors were all out for 132, including 2 wickets apiece for Dan Cox, Ollie Morgan, Dineth Thimodya and Charlie Calloway. In reply, Ventnor was bowled out for 69 in the 24th over, with Thimodya top scoring with 23.
In Hants Division One, Ryde lost by 42 runs away at Rydal, with Tom Durman’s 3-53 limiting the mainland side to 257-4 from their 45 overs. All-rounder Durman contributed 60 to a total of 215-8.
In Division Three, leaders, Ventnor II, won by 74 runs away at Old Netley & Highfield. The Islanders elected to bat and opener, Mark Fletcher, carried his bat with an unbeaten 112, with his fellow opener adding 71 in a first wicket partnership of 123, as Ventnor reached 276-3. Three wickets for Hugh Calloway, and 2 apiece for Charlie Turpin and Rob Snell, restricted Old Netley to 202-9.
Shanklin & Godshill, fresh from their tour, won by 7 wickets away at Verwood, with 2 wickets each for Nathan Moore and Andy White, restricting Verwood to 201-6. In reply, 76 from opener, George Niemiec, and 55 from Harry Collier, helped the Islanders reach 204-3 with 13 balls remaining.
In Division Four, Ryde II won by 5 wickets at home to Calmore Sports, with Islander, Jibin Mathew, taking 3-31 to limit the visitors to 176 all out. Ellis Ridett top-scored with 45 from a total of 179-5 to secure the points.
Island Leagues and Cups
In Division One, leaders Newport won by 8 wickets at home to Freshwater, with the West Wight side all out for 104. Matt Spooner hit 37, and Sam Blaize took 3-4. In reply, Grant Richardson hit an unbeaten 50 from a total of 108-2.
Centuries for brothers Kevin and Gary Cooper helped Northwood reach 356, winning away at Shanklin & Godshill. The Westhill side were bowled out for 60, with Rob Wilcox taking 6 wickets.
In Division Two, Northwood II XI lost by 29 runs at home to leaders, Newport II, with opener, Manuel Kannampuzha, hitting 45, and Reece Attrill 42 not out, from a total of 215-5 from 35 overs. In reply, Liam Roberts was run out on 96, and skipper, Martyn Richards 63, as Northwood fell short on 186-5.
Ventnor IV beat Shanklin by 111 runs, with Tom Noyes (57), skipper, Adam Goulding (54), and Nick Dobson (65) helping Ventnor reach 241-3. Shanklin skipper, Nathan Moore, opened with 46, with Matthew Manning 38, but 2 wickets each for Nick Dobson and Wilf Sutton limited Shanklin to 130 all out.
In the Fred Winter Cup, Ventnor IV won by 7 wickets away at Shanklin & Godshill III, with Ben Mackett’s 34 helping the home side reach 116-9, with 3 wickets for Charles Andrew. Nick Dobson’s 34, and skipper, Adam Goulding’s unbeaten 25, helped Ventnor score 117-3 and gain victory.
Fixtures
Ventnor travel to Sarisbury, Ryde welcome Bournemouth, and Ventnor II welcome New Milton. Shanklin & Godshill are home to Old Netley & Highfield, and Ryde II visit Ampfield & North Baddersley.
In the Senior Cup, Freshwater welcome Shanklin & Godshill II, Northwood host Ventnor III, and St Helens play Newport, with Newport II home to Cowes in the Fred Winter Trophy. Shanklin & Godshill III will face Ventnor IV at Smallbrook in Division Two.