By Isle of Wight Observer
Ventnor III won the Senior Plate final by one wicket, overcoming a spirited effort from St Helens, who were all out for 188 on the Green in 36.2 overs.
Openers Marc Allen (25) and Hadley Balloch (18) shared a 70-run partnership, followed by Lee Brown (25) and Mark Watson (42), with Ben Fry taking 6-34, as well as a catch off the bowling of Harrison McQuillan, and Lucas Harris claiming 3-60.
In reply, Ventnor openers Mark Holmes (20) and Ben Fry (32) laid solid foundations, putting their side ahead of the required run-rate, but at 95-5 the match was in the balance.
Gary Freeston’s knock of 29, Toby Morgan’s 17 and Souvak Sanyal’s 20 saw Jake Toulson finish 15 not out alongside Kayton Evans, on four, to see Ventnor home on 191-9 with one over remaining. Balloch claimed 3-41, with Allen and Watson taking two wickets each.
Southern Premier and Hampshire Leagues
Ventnor lost by three wickets away at Havant in Southern Premier Division One, despite opener Dineth Thimodya striking 104 off 124 balls in an all-out total of 195 in 49.1 overs. In reply, Archie Lucy took 3-32 and George Watts 2-32, with Ethan Short taking two catches, but Havant reached 196-7 in the 49th over to claim the win.
Ventnor II won the Hants Division Two derby against Shanklin & Godshill by 30 runs at Steephill, with middle-order batters Toby Noyes (91) and Ben Attrill (94 not out) sharing a 155-run partnership in a total of 294-5, with Tom Quaife claiming 3-54. Shanklin openers Olly Niemiec (33) and Ollie Pease (38) laid a 77-run first-wicket foundation, followed by George Niemiec’s 55 and skipper Ben White’s 52, but they were unable to keep up with the required run-rate and finished on 264-7 after 45 overs. Toby Noyes took 3-38 and Aaron Hartup 2-42 to seal victory, with the result leaving the visitors in the relegation zone.
Ryde won by six wickets at home to Purbrook, with Ben Gregory, Rafe Hawkins and Liam Ringer taking two wickets each to limit the visitors to 217-7. In reply, Ellis Ridett (33) and Mark Oatley (33) shared an opening partnership of 77, followed by a knock of 30 from Stuart Robertson and an unbeaten 57 from Andy Day, as Ryde reached 218-4 in the 38th over to secure victory. They are now third in Hampshire Division Three.
IW Division Two
Ventnor IV won by nine wickets away at Northwood II, with skipper Martyn Richards (44) and Liam Goldsmith (40) contributing to a Northwood total of 162-5 from 35 overs. Oliver Gyomber took 2-29. In response, opener Jess Glover hit 62 not out, with Adam Goulding adding 88, as Ventnor scored 166-1 in the 25th over to claim the win.