VENTNOR bounced back from the previous week’s disappointment by romping to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over league leaders, Hartley Wintney in Division 2 of the IPA Greene King Southern Premier League on Saturday.
The visitors to Steephill put themselves into bat first, but promptly lost two wickets without a run on the board to Rob Snell’s inspired opening spell.
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Runs came more freely at the other end though and, after 14 overs, without further loss, a challenging total looked likely.
The introduction of Charlie Calloway into the bowling attack, however, turned the match back in Ventnor’s favour as the Hampshire side lost a flurry of wickets mid-innings.
The Ventnor seamer took 3-5 in an excellent eight-over spell in tandem with Chris Russell who returned 3-29.
The pair played key roles in the visitors’ demise, as they collapsed to 138 all out from 80-2.
The Ventnor reply was led by Ross Whyte and Snell, who made light work of the target in an impressive opening partnership of 88.
Whyte (51) struck a 34-ball half century, containing nine fours and a six, while Snell’s fine unbeaten 72 comprised 14 boundaries to secure victory with more than 21 overs remaining.
The previous day, Ventnor’s second team will take on their Shanklin & Godshill counterparts in Island League Division 2. The Steephill fixture starts at 1pm.
In Division 2 of the Hampshire Cricket League, Ryde I easily beat East Woodhay by nine wickets.
The visitors batted first — skittled out for a paltry 116 with more than six overs remaining.
Ash Goldsmith was on fire, spearheading the attack with 4-11 from eight overs, superbly supported by Julion Jayerajah (4-41) and Mark Tuckwell (2-20).
Kerry Rice (55 not out) and Goldsmith (45 not out) eased the Islanders to victory from 35.1 overs).
At Westhill, however, Shanklin and Godshill struggled against Bashley (Rydal) III.
Batting first, they scored a modest 146 all out, with only Benji White showing resistance with 59.
Bashley reached their target with more than nine overs to spare — Benji White the best of the Shanklin bowlers with 2-26 in their six-wicket defeat.
In Division 4 (South), Ryde II lost away at Gosport Borough II by five wickets.
Ryde opener Mark Oatley scored an excellent 92, from a total of 184-9, well supported by Freddie Boyce (45).
Gosport reached Ryde’s total with the loss of five wickets — Tom Roscoe getting 2-29.
In Division 1 of the Island League, Cowes were in the mood against Bembridge and Ryde Cavaliers — beating them by eight wickets.
Bembridge reached what looked like a competitive 199-2, with Chris Higgins (93 not out) and Dorian Cobb (92 not out) batting nicely.
In reply, Cowes reached their target with a boundary, for the loss of two wickets, with Jack Summers hitting a superb unbeaten 120, well supported by Scott Rice (48).
Enjoying a six-wicket victory was Northwood over Freshwater.
Freshwater were bowled out for 186, with Tom Turney (33) and Rohan Sarwant (30) top scoring.
Gary Cooper (3-24) and Simon Goldsmith 3-29 bowled well.
In reaching their target for the loss of four wickets, Northwood’s batting was led by Andy Harris (101 not out), with Turney (3-51) the pick of the Freshwater bowlers.
In Division 2, Newport II beat Shanklin and Godshill II by 78 runs.
Newport, batting first, scored 175-9, with Paul Attrill hitting 72. Norton Mew (3-32) and Mark Wright (2-31) were Shanklin’s best bowlers.
In reply, Shanklin were bowled out for 97, with Max Poynter (3-10), and Attrill (2-2) bowling well.
THIS WEEKEND'S FIXTURES
SATURDAY — Southern Premier League, Division 2: Paultons v Ventnor; Hampshire League, Division 2: Bramshaw v Ryde, East Woodhay v Shanklin & Godshill; Hampshire 4 (South): Ryde II v Portsmouth & Southsea III; Island League, Division 1: Cowes v Newport; Freshwater v St Helens; Northwood v Bembridge; Division 2: Newport II v Ryde III; Ventnor II v Shanklin & Godshill II.
SUNDAY — Southern League T20 Cup, round one: Ventnor v Portsmouth & Southsea.
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