BITTER disappointment again for Ventnor who remain rooted to the foot of Division 1 of the 21SIX Southern Premier League after suffering a sixth straight defeat, at the hands of New Milton, at Steephill on Saturday.

The visitors, who went to Ventnor with a record of only one league win so far, won the match by four wickets.

Ventnor batted first and got off to a fair start with skipper Chris Russell and Mark Fletcher, but when dismissed for 16 and 25 respectively, then Ben Herridge (26), their batting collapsed.

The Isle of Wight's top side were all out for 132, with only Rob Snell showing any late resistance with 20.

New Milton eventually won by four wickets with more than 25 overs remaining, but victory did not come without some nerves, as Russell took 4-52.

It will not get any easier for Ventnor in their next match, away at table-topping Hook and Newnham Basics tomorrow (Saturday), having won all their matches so far.

In Division 1 of the Hampshire League, things are not much rosier for Ryde I — slumping to second bottom with a heavy 102-run defeat away at Old Basing, a place below them before the start of play.

Ryde, who fell to their fourth defeat of the season, bowled well and restricted their hosts to 222-8 from their 50 overs, with Ash Goldsmith (3-27) and Matt Webb (2-49) the best of the bowlers.

In reply, Ryde struggled with the bat and, in a rain-affected run chase, were dismissed for 128, with Tom Morgan (38) and Mark Oatley (31) the only batsmen to show resistance.

Isle of Wight County Press: Shanklin's Benji White has been in superb form — helping his side continue their 100% winning start to the season. FILEShanklin's Benji White has been in superb form — helping his side continue their 100% winning start to the season. FILE

Good news, however, for Shanklin, who now top Division 3 (South) after beating Bashley III away by 110 runs, thanks to a superb effort with the ball.

Shanklin were put into bat — and it looked a good decision after they lost both openers with only one run on the board.

But a hard-grafted 39 from Seb Egerton-Read put Shanklin on the road to recovery, with the middle and lower order all contributing as they reached 200 all out.

Shanklin’s bowlers had Bashley’s batsmen on the ropes at 17-5, all thanks to great opening spells from Benji White (4-27) and Nathan Moore (2-10).

Despite some late order resistance from the home team, the Westhill side’s support bowlers polished off the tail with only 90 runs scored.

Ventnor II, almost mirroring the first team for form, continue to struggle at the wrong end of the Division 3 table after they lost away at Verwood by five wickets.

Batting first, Ventnor skipper Mark Woodhouse got his side off to a good start, but when he was caught for 64, Verwood mopped up the tail comfortably as they collapsed to 136-9.

Ventnor bowled economically, but with such a low total to defend, Verwood inched home with more than 14 overs to spare.

In Division 4 (South), Ryde II continued their 100 per cent winning start to the season, going top with a seven-wicket win over Purbrook II at Harding Shute.

Despite the heavy rain leading up to the game, the pitch was good, as Purbrook reached 230-5 — James Williams taking 2-45.

The total, against a side full of runs this season, proved insufficient, with Ryde reaching the target with more than seven overs to spare — and just three wickets lost.

Captain, Andy Day, top scored with an unbeaten 60, while Phil Mew added a rapid 58.

Local rivals, Ryde Cavaliers, were not to be outdone, beating Fair Oak III by seven wickets, at Smallbrook.

Fair Oak were skittled out for 149 runs — Mick Bartlett (4-24), Ian Walter (3-46) and Simon Bligh (2-38) doing the damage — as the Cavaliers easily reached the total (151-3), which included a century opening stand, with Andy Loudon (72) top scoring.