VENTNOR failed to break the mould, and recorded their 14th consecutive defeat at the hands of Sarisbury Athletic, going down with a whimper.

The Islanders elected to bat first, with Martin Blackman (31) putting in a credible performance, but after 104 runs and all out, the visitors ran rampant, besting Ventnor’s result with seven wickets to spare.

Hugh Calloway took two scalps, but there was no halting the Sarisbury tide.

In Hampshire Division 1 ­— missing a number of key players ­— Ryde I suffered a heavy defeat at St Cross Symondians, but a dogged performance by their batsmen saw them pick up maximum batting points, which could be very important as they fight to get out of the relegation zone.

On a great batting track, St Cross smashed a daunting 372-5, and in return, Ryde reached 251 before being bowled out.

Captain Stuart Robertson top scored with 66, with Ben Baker (44) and Brendon Speechley (41) supporting well.

In Division 2 (South), Ventnor II crashed out to New Milton II, registering a meagre 100 all out against the home side’s 331-7.

Shanklin stayed second with a seven wicket win at Hythe and Dibden.

The home side were bowled out for 126 with Benji White (3-31) and Calvin Wright (3-28) doing the damage.

Despite losing early wickets, Jack Powell (41) and White (49) saw Shanklin home to a comfortable victory.

It was back to winning ways for Ryde II in Division 4, although they were made to work hard for the win by Gosport Borough IIs at Harding Shute. Gosport batted first and posted 197-5, with Kerry Rice taking 2-23 and Stuart Gurney 2-39.

Despite this looking a below par score, Ryde at one stage were 31-4 and had also lost inform opener Gurney to a hamstring injury, but a captain’s innings of 74 from Andy Day set his side up for a four wicket victory with the injured Gurney hitting 42 not out.

Ryde Cavaliers had visitors, Colden Common, soon in trouble with five early wickets, but in an almost one man attack, the visiting Z.Nori (130 not out) enabled them to finish on 240-9, with Jack Summers taking 3-25.

In reply, the Cavaliers lost two early wicket and struggled to maintain the run rate, finishing on 195-9, with Jack Summers 50, Graham Gregory 33 and Flynn Powell 32 the main scorers.

The returning Harry Dye was the hero for Newport in their Leslie’s Motors IW League victory over Bembridge.

Opening the batting, he hit 69 and then took 4-12.

Brother Tom Dye (48 not out) and Ryan Young(49) also played well as Newport reached a good total of 268-5. 

Bembridge were never in with a chance of chasing down the target and the younger Dye’s four wickets finished the job, dismissing Bembridge for 77. 

Northwood II took on St Helens and the match was dominated by Lee Brown. 

Firstly, with the ball he took 5-35, reducing Northwood to 200-8, Alex Hamilton top scoring with 61. 

Brown then opened and hit an unbeaten 123 to guide his team to a seven-wicket win. Marc Allen also batted well for his 40. 

Freshwater played Northwood I. Freshwater batting first reached 180-8, Paul Winchester (51 not out) top scoring and Graham Gosden (31) and Steve Priddle (41) contributing to the total. 

Dave Winter was the pick of the bowlers with 3-37. 

Liam Roberts (63 not out) did his best to chase the score down and was ably assisted by Jeff Barrett (36) but they were agonisingly short, ending on 168-7 with Glenn Bailey and Allan Bridges taking two wickets apiece. 

Shanklin/Godshill were unable to raise a side against Arreton.