By Isle of Wight Observer
With the cricket season drawing to a close, highlights include Shanklin’s unbeaten openers, Jim Thorn and George Speller (who have scored two tons in three matches), returning a 200+ partnership at Smallbrook. There was a 5-wicket haul for Cowes’ Josh Jones, in the Fred Winter Cup, with disappointment for Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor I against mainland opposition, but Ventnor II confirmed their promotion for next season.
Southern Premier & Hants Leagues
Ventnor lost by 39 runs away at Sarisbury Athletic, after chasing 246-9. Rob Snell took 3-56, and there were 2 wickets each for Dineth Thimodya and Dan Cox. In reply, the Islanders saw opener Thimodya hit 66 and Cox 59, with Henry Edwards adding 40, but they lost the tail-enders cheaply, and were all out for 207 with over 3 overs left.
In Hants Division One, Ryde lost by 5 wickets at home to Bournemouth, with Island openers, Dan Attrill (2) and Kerry Rice (10), getting off to a slow start. Ellis Ridett added 22, to set a target of 143-9 off 45 overs. In reply, the visitors raced to 145-5, with 8 overs left, to claim victory.
In Division Three, promoted Ventnor II were awarded the points at home to New Milton. Shanklin & Godshill narrowly lost by 21 runs at home to Old Netley & Highfield, with Matt Lambourne taking 3-46 to limit the visitors to 245-7. In reply, Harry Moore’s 72, with skipper, Ben White’s 43, helped the home side reach 224 all out.
In Division Four, Ryde II lost by 374 runs away at Ampfield & North Baddesley, who set a target of 412-3, with the Islanders all out for 38 in the 16th over.
Island Leagues and Cups
In the Fred Winter Cup, table-topping Cowes won by 34 runs away at Newport II, with the visitors scoring 144-6, including an unbeaten knock of 34 from Jason Heap, and 29 from skipper, Scott Rice, with Olly Pease taking 3-27. In reply, 5 wickets for Josh Jones, and 3 for Jason Heap, restricted Newport to 110 all out, with Ash Brett top-scoring with 39.
Shanklin III beat Ventnor IV at Smallbrook, with Ventnor scoring 202-7, with wickets for 15-year-old John Job, and 13-year-olds, Will Kent and Tom Dempsey. Unbeaten Shanklin opening-batters, George Speller (118), and veteran, Jim Thorn (60), saw the side secure a deserved victory.
Fixtures
Ventnor welcome Hook & Newnham Basics, Ryde travel to Tichborne Park, Shanklin play away at New Milton, Ventnor II are at Portsmouth & Southsea, and Ryde II face Bishops Waltham. In IW Division One, Freshwater face St Helens, Northwood play Newport, and Ventnor III are home to Shanklin & Godshill II. In Division Two, Shanklin III play Northwood II.