A COMBINATION of bad weather and Covid-19 restrictions saw all competitive Hampshire cricket wiped out on Saturday.
Ventnor’s match away at Waterlooville in Division 2 of the Greene King IPA Southern Premier Cricket League was abandoned after just 12 overs, due to the rain.
Waterlooville reached 39-2, with Rob Snell (1-13) and Sam Read (1-15) bowling well after five overs apiece.
With Ryde’s game at Steep cancelled due to the rain, and Shanklin’s trip to Redlynch and Hale proving impossible due to Covid restrictions, the two Hampshire Division 2 sides from the Isle of Wight faced each other in a friendly for the second Saturday in succession.
The game was due to be played at Ryde, but overnight rain and a late morning downpour resulted in the game being quickly switched to Shanklin, which was basking in sunshine.
As with the previous week, Ryde put the hosts into bat first.
Shanklin’s innings mirrored what happened the previous week, as openers Mark Ringer (39) and Seb Egerton-Read (21) got their side off to a steady start, while tight Ryde bowling restricted the runs.
Wickets fell fairly regularly as Shanklin worked their way to 156-8 from their 40 overs, with leg spinner, Josh Asher, returning figures of 3-36. Dan Parker chipped in with 2-22.
An accurate spell of opening bowling from Shanklin skipper Benji White (1-17) and Nathan Moore (1-14) meant the Ryde innings got off to a slow start.
But a century partnership between Tom Roscoe (69 not out) and Benj Shannon (47) saw the visitors home for the loss of four wickets and 16 balls to spare — a six-wicket victory.
Ryde IIs’ scheduled Hampshire League game against Mansbridge was also called off due to Covid travel restrictions.
But with restrictions now lifted, Ryde I will host IBM Hursley on Saturday, while the seconds travel to Locks Heath.
Shanklin, meanwhile, will host Steep, while their seconds take on Ryde III at Haseley in the opening round of fixtures in Division 2 of the Island League.
Meanwhile, the Isle of Wight League got underway, with two matches surviving the weather and none of the Covid travel restrictions experienced by clubs playing in the Southern and Hampshire leagues so far.
In Division 1, an excellent match between the hosts, St Helens, and Cowes, was fought out on The Green.
St Helens batted first, posting 216-7 from their 40 overs. Marc Allen top scored with 75, assisted by Lee Brown’s 47.
Jack Summers and Scott Rice both returned bowling figures of 3-41.
Cowes responded with an excellent knock by Rice, who carried the bat with 89 not out, but after a collapse below him in the order, Summers struck a superb 86 — but it was not enough after being halted by the home side’s accurate bowling, to earn them a 24-run victory.
It was a much shorter game at Freshwater, who hosted new side, Bembridge and Ryde Cavaliers.
Bembridge, who batted first, had a nightmare — skittled out for a paltry 69 from 37.2 overs.
Sam Vandecasteele did the most damage with his 6-9 off eight overs — well supported by Allan Bridges (3-8), who took the final wicket.
It only took Freshwater 11.4 overs to secure a comfortable six-wicket victory, with Grant Richardson top scoring with 32 not out, although Ian Walter could be proud of his 4-27.
The other fixture, between old rivals Newport and Northwood, was abandoned, due to rain.
Saturday sees the start of the Isle of Wight Division 1 Cup as Northwood 2 host Ventnor 2 and Ryde 3 entertain Shanklin and Godshill 2. Both start at 1.30pm.
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