By Isle of Wight Observer
Ventnor celebrated a nail-biting win with all-rounder, Dineth Thimodya, contributing with bat and ball, Shanklin moved up the table with a Ben White inspired win, and Jason Heap’s 5-wicket haul for Cowes helped them top their group in the Cup.
Southern Premier and Hampshire Leagues
Second-placed Ventnor secured a last-over victory, by 1 wicket, at home to Totton & Eling, in Southern Premier One. The visitors batted first and scored 243-7 off their 50 overs, including a century by opener, Joe Baker, with Dineth Thimodya taking 3-38 and George Watts 2-44.
In reply, all-rounder Thimodya opened with a knock of 78, with the side keeping to the run-rate, including Will Mew (20), Henry Edwards (44), and George Watts (45 not out), ensuring the nail-biting last over finished with 2 balls to spare, with Ventnor 244-9 and claiming 20 points.
Hants Division Two B, saw Ventnor II lose by 3 wickets at Winton, after Hugh Calloway’s opening innings of 73 helped set a target of 230-9. Winton maintained a match-winning momentum, despite losing 2 wickets without scoring, with Ethan Short’s 4-40 not enough to frustrate Winton reaching 231-7 in the 35th over to claim the points.
Ryde lost by 3 wickets at home to Portsmouth II. Batting first, the Islanders set a target of 204-9 off 45 overs, with innings of 34 from opener, Ash Goldsmith, 20 from Ian Hailes, and 49 from middle-order Jack Summers.
A century from the visitors’ opener, Saf Musthaffa, secured the win, as Portsmouth reached 206-7 in the 42nd over, with Mark Tuckwell, 3-30, and Ben Gregory, 2-30, unable to capitalise on early pressure.
Shanklin & Godshill moved to second spot in Division Three B, after winning by 4 wickets away at Waterlooville, who scored 199-7 off 45 overs, with all Shanklin bowlers taking a wicket and Ollie Pease 2-40.
The Islanders’ skipper, Ben White, hit an unbeaten 85, including sharing a crucial 79-run partnership with Harry Moore (27), as Shanklin reached 201-6 with over 2 overs remaining.
Island Leagues and Cups
In Division Two, Freshwater won by 11 runs at home to leaders, Newport II. With Freshwater asked to bat first, openers, Mike Holliday (62) and Graham Gosden (38), laid solid foundations for a score of 209-5 off 35 overs. In reply, Newport skipper and opener, Paul Attrill (52), and Ellis Hinckley (38), started well, but spells of 4-61 by Dave Maclean and 3-15 from Sam Vandecasteele limited ‘Port’s innings to 198 all out.
Shanklin & Godshill II won by 202 runs at home to Arreton, with Graham Speller (59) and an unbeaten 45 from veteran, Andy White, helping Shanklin set a score of 275-4 off 35 overs. After the break, 3 wickets apiece for Nathan Moore and Alfie Pease helped the home-side bowl Arreton out for 73 in the 17th over.
The Fred Winter Cup saw Cowes overcome Northwood II by 162 runs, with Cowes batting first to score 243-5 off 35 overs. There was 58 from opener, Gayan Kodikara, and 55 not out from Luke Ridoutt alongside a quick-fire 47 from Josh Rice, with 2 wickets each for Nathan Proud and Ollie Power. Although Northwood’s Nathan Proud’s 29 top-scored for the visitors, 5 wickets from Jason Heap for 17 runs helped home-side Cowes bowl Northwood out for 81 in the 25th over to go top of their group.
Isle of Wight Observer