VENTNOR got their Southern Premier League Division 1 season off to a flyer in the New Forest with a six-wicket win against New Milton.

Ben Woodhouse put the home side into bat, with strike bowler Rob Snell bowling his ten overs straight off for an economical 20 runs. 

He was well supported by 16 year old Will Mew’s 1-12 off his first six overs on his first team debut. 

Their new overseas signing, Sri Lankan Dineth Thimodya, then took 4-14 with his right-arm off breaks, which left New Milton struggling at 135-8 with only eight overs left. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Ellis Ridett batting for Ryde.Ellis Ridett batting for Ryde.

Hugh Calloway cleaned up the tail to take the last two wickets in the 47th over, leaving Ventnor a target of 162 to beat.

New Milton seamers did damage with the new ball, which had Ventnor languishing on 49-4 by the 14th over. 

But Martin Blackman (67 not out) and Ross Whyte (60) steadied the ship as they put on an excellent century stand for the fifth wicket, seeing Ventnor home with 22 balls to spare and earn a maximum 22 points.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde I bowlers had a tough day in their opening match of the season.Ryde I bowlers had a tough day in their opening match of the season.

In Division 1 of the Hampshire League, Ryde I lost their opening game to Fareham & Crofton by 122 runs.

The visitors batted first, amassing a decent 284-9 from 50 overs, with Ben Gregory getting 4-61.

In reply, Ryde were bowled out for a modest 172 — Andy Woodward (42) top scoring and Robert Hobbs hitting 41.

Isle of Wight County Press: Robert Hobbs hit 41 for Ryde in their defeat.Robert Hobbs hit 41 for Ryde in their defeat.

Shanklin and Godshill I got off to a great start in Division 3 (South) — beating Fareham & Crofton II by a comfortable six wickets.

The hosts were bowled out for a poor 136, with Harry Moore, Ben White and Callum Wright all picking up two wickets.

In reply, Shanklin reached their target with the loss of four wickets with almost 12 overs to spare — James Lucy (46) and George Niemiec (34 not out) top scoring.

Isle of Wight County Press: Oscar Vandecasteele batting for Ryde.Oscar Vandecasteele batting for Ryde.

In Division 4 (South), Ventnor II earned bragging rights in their derby against Ryde II with a 57-run victory at Steephill.

The hosts batted first and made a competitive 231-8, with openers Mark Fletcher (69) and Sam Guerin (39) top scoring, with Frank Gumley (4-40) and Jerin Jose (3-42) the pick of the Ryde bowlers.

In reply, Ryde were bowled out for 174, with Kerry Rice (49 not out) their best batsman.
Souvak Sanyal (4-29) and Dominic Brihmani (2-30) the best of the Ventnor bowlers.

Isle of Wight County Press:

In Division 1 of the Island League, Northwood destroyed Shanklin and Godshill II, by a massive 321 runs.

Opener, Andy Harris, hit 153 — which included 17 fours and eight sixes — from a mammoth 381-5 off 40 overs.

Kevin Cooper (59), Chris Williams (48), Callum Witham (42) and Liam Roberts (31) also enjoyed themselves.

In reply, Shanklin were skittled out for just 60, with Roberts (4-25), Simon Goldsmith (2-8) and Cooper (2-13) inflicting the damage.