By Isle of Wight Observer
With the festival affecting fixtures and player availability, Ventnor 2nd XI moved to top spot after their derby win at Ryde. A 5-wicket haul for Kayton Evans, and Shanklin’s Tom Quaife claiming 4 wickets, were the highlights of the weekend, which saw three Island sides disappointed to lose.
Premier and Hampshire Leagues
Ventnor lost at Steephill by 3 wickets to Hambledon. Electing to bat first, the Island side saw a 125 opening partnership between Dineth Thimodya (72) and Josh Carpenter (43), with middle-order batters, Hugh Calloway (45), Will Mew (28), Dan Cox (27). Charlie Calloway, unbeaten on 23, saw Ventnor reach 270-7 from their allocated 50 overs.
In reply, the visitors maintained a positive run-rate with some significant innings from Henry Glanfield (94) and Spencer Le Clerq (44 not out), to secure victory in the 48th over scoring 272-7. This was despite wickets from Dan Cox (2-53), Dineth Thimodya (2-31), George Watts (1-59), Mark Holmes (1-47) and Charlie Calloway (1-30). Ventnor secured 8 bowling and batting points to remain in sixth place in Division One of the Southern Premier League.
In the Hampshire League Division Two B derby, Ventnor II won 7 wickets ‘away’ at Ryde, with Ryde skipper, Tom Durman, electing to bat first. Openers Ian Hailes (13) and Ash Goldsmith (43) laid the foundations, despite some early rainfall, for middle-order batters, Jack Summers (31), Andy Day (34), and Guy Bonnett (17), to see the home side reach 196 all out in the 45th over. Ventnor bowler Kayton Evans took 5-56 in a stand-out performance, with Harrison McQuillan 3-35, and 1 apiece for Toby Noyes and Ethan Short.
Ventnor openers, Ben Attrill (63) and skipper, Ben Davies (42), shared a 94 run partnership, followed by Martin Blackman (27), Toby Noyes (36 not out) and Jack Powell (5 not out). Ventnor reached 198-3 in the 42nd over, with 2 wickets for Jack Summers, including a caught and bowled, and 1 for Ash Goldsmith.
The result and 24 points saw Ventnor II move above Portsmouth II to go top of the division, and Ryde’s 6 bowling and batting points kept them in fourth spot.
Shanklin & Godshill, in Division Three B, lost by 89 runs away at Locks Heath. They were at one stage on 88-5, with the mainland side scoring 267-9 off their 45 overs, mainly due to 103 from Pete Dudley. Tom Quaife was the pick of the Islanders, bowling with 4-39, with Harry Moore taking 2-67, and a wicket each for Ollie Pease, Jack White and Matt Lambourne.
The Islanders saw a 51-run opening partnership between Matt Lambourne (35), including a 6, and Olly Niemiec (25) laying a solid start. However, batters Seb Egerton-Read (16), Jim Thorne (31), Harry Moore (15), Jack White (10), and wicket-keeper, Sean Phillips (16), couldn’t stay around long enough to get close to the Locks Heath score, and were bowled all out for 178 after 38 overs.
Shanklin’s 9 bowling and batting points keeps them in fourth spot.
It’s also been confirmed that Westhill will welcome the MCC on Monday, June 30, playing against the Isle of Wight County team. The MCC tour includes visits to Ryde School (July 1) and Newclose (July 2).
Youth Cricket
Newport’s IoW Cricket Club is celebrating their U-13 side retaining the U-13 Cup, repeating their success in last year’s final by beating Ventnor, this time by 7 wickets.
Despite losing early wickets, Ventnor fought back to score 100-5, but solid performances saw Newport reach the target losing only 3 wickets and more than 3 overs left.
Newport will now represent the Island, travelling away to face the winners of the Hampshire competition in July.