By Isle of Wight Observer
Ryde’s unbeaten run continues, Ventnor’s Chris Russell returns a sixer and Martin Blackman hits a ton, and Newport’s 1st and 2nd XIs top Island leagues.
Southern Premier and Hampshire Divisions
Ventnor notched up their first win of the season, convincingly winning away at Old Tauntonians & Romsey by 5 wickets, with the Island’s Chris Russell (6-15) and George Watts (4-18) combining to skittle out the home side for 41 in the tenth over. Ventnor’s Dineth Thimodya hit 30 as the team reached 43-5 in the 13th over. The win saw Ventnor climb to 4th place in Southern Premier Division One.
Unbeaten Ryde secured a 4-run victory away at Lymington. Batting first, the Islanders scored 219-8 off their 45 overs, with opener, Ian Hailes, contributing 55, and middle-order Mark Oatley adding a vital unbeaten 43. Ryde used 7 bowlers to frustrate Lymington’s reply of 215-9. Wickets were taken by Matt Webb (1-22), Nathan Day (1-22), Tom Durman (2-44), Ian Hailes (1-32), Ash Goldsmith (2-44), and Kerry Rice (1-10). The victory sees Ryde become joint leaders of Hants Division 2B, sharing the position with Portsmouth.
Also in Division 2B, Ventnor II XI won by 2 runs at home to Burridge. Batting first, the Islanders saw Martin Blackman strike 109, including 15 fours and a six. He was supported by Jack Powell’s 58, as the total reached 270-7. Ventnor then toiled away to win, as Burridge batted. Wickets were shared between Ethan Short (2-32), Hugh Calloway (2-52), Sam Read (1-28), Jack Powell (1-27) and Charlie Turpin (1-41). Ventnor are now in 5th place in the Division.
In Division 3B, Shanklin & Godshill lost by 46 runs at home to Gosport Borough, with the visitors winning the toss and scoring 222-7 off 45 overs. Nathan Moore took 2-35 and Matt Lambourne 2-27. In reply, Shanklin struggled to get into a rhythm losing wickets regularly. Opener, Matt Lambourne, and George Niemiec were joint top-scorers with 17 each, as they reached 176 all out in the 42nd over.
Island Leagues
In Division One, leaders Newport won by 77 runs away at Wight Whizzers. Batting first, Gareth Bricknell (58) and Thomas Dye (52) helped Newport reach 257-8 off 40 overs, with Jebin Jose taking 3-41 and Jkp Jinu 2-40 for the Whizzers. Jose then opened for the Whizzers with 45, before being bowled by Adam Wilson who returned 2-34. Midhun Devassy added 32 late in the innings to reach 180 all out with 5 overs remaining.
Ventnor III XI narrowly won by 7 runs away at St Helens, after batting first with skipper and opener, Gary Legg, striking 62, alongside Souvak Sanyal top-scoring with 73 in a total of 191 all out. In reply, bowlers Rafe Hawkins, Kayton Evans and James Curtis took 2 wickets each to limit St Helens to 184 all out in the 40th over.
In Division Two, leaders Newport II XI won by 9 wickets at home to Shanklin & Godshill II XI, with a revised target after Shanklin hit 205-9. Shanklin opener, Steve Egerton-Read, hit 59, with skipper, Steve Billington, unbeaten on 67, and Newport’s Anthony Rajan taking 2-25.
Ventnor’s IV XI won by 71 runs at home to Arreton. With Ventnor opting to bat first, opener, Adam Goulding, scored 62 out of a total of 247-7 off 35 overs. Arreton were limited to 176 all out due to the bowling of Ventnor attack.
Northwood were awarded a win against Ryde II XI in Division One.