SRI Lankan overseas star Dineth Thimodya who has been in scintillating form with the bat, is no slouch with ball either as he helped his Ventnor team-mates halt a losing run with a much-needed, but unconvincing win.

Ventnor went into their Southern Premier League Division 1 fixture, against fellow mid-table side New Milton, on a miserable run of form — four defeats in five — but they just managed to eke out a victory by two wickets in a low scoring game.

The Steephill side won the toss and elected to field — skittling the New Forest side out for 131, with Thimodya leading the bowling attack with a superb 3-6.

Ollie Morgan continued his fine form with the ball with 3-24.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ben Baker top scored for Ryde against Alton II.Ben Baker top scored for Ryde against Alton II.

However, Ventnor struggled in the modest run chase, with skipper Ben Woodhouse scoring a gritty 41 in the middle order to help get them over the line — but not without a few jitters.

In Hampshire 1, Ryde notched up a vital win in their bid to beat the drop.

Ryde, who went into their match against Alton II with only one win all season, got their second by two wickets, thanks in the main to a good all-round performance by experienced Andy Day at Harding Shute. 

Alton posted a very competitive 259-8, with Day (2-21) leading the way with the ball.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde’s Sam Rockley flicks a nice shot on the leg side in their run chase against Alton II.Ryde’s Sam Rockley flicks a nice shot on the leg side in their run chase against Alton II.

Ryde, who have toiled in vain to hit high scoring targets this season, fought brilliantly to reach it with 2.1 overs to spare.

Ben Baker hit 88 — an innings containing 14 boundaries — who put on a superb partnership with Sam Rockley (49) to cement Ryde’s run chase.

But it was Day’s 38 not out that steadied the nerves towards the end to see them home.

In Hampshire 3 (South), Shanklin and Godshill slumped to a fifth loss of the season at league leaders, Calmore Sports II, by a bruising 201 runs.

Isle of Wight County Press: Robert Hobbs batting for Ryde against Alton II.Robert Hobbs batting for Ryde against Alton II.

Meanwhile, Ventnor II continued their great recent form by hammering bottom side Curdridge by nine wickets in Hants 4 (South).

Sam Guerin crushed the Curdridge bowling — smashing 65 not out, almost all of it in fours and sixes, as they easily reached their modest target after disposing of Curdridge for just 94 runs, with Morgan Flood (3-9) and Toby Noyes (3-13) doing the damage.

Ryde II continued their winning form too, beating Portsmouth & Southsea III by 31 runs.
The Islanders set 247-8, with skipper Tom Roscoe (68) and Ashley Goldsmith (59) top scoring, then bowling the home side out for 216, with the wickets shared between their strong attack.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ben Gregory bowling for Ryde against Alton II.Ben Gregory bowling for Ryde against Alton II.

In Division 2 of the Island League, Ventnor III (280-1) hammered Northwood II (115 all out) by 165 runs.

Mark Price hit 126 not out, developing excellent partnerships along the way — first with Harrison McQuillan (44 retired), then Souvak Sanyal (57 not out).

James Bradshaw (3-15) was the pick of the Ventnor bowlers.

                                            SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Southern League Premier, Division 1: Sparshot v Ventnor; Hampshire League, Division 1: Hursley Park v Ryde; Hants 3 (South): Shanklin & Godshill v New Milton II; Hants 4 (South): Ventnor II v Mansbridge; Ryde II v Curdridge; Island League, Division 1: Freshwater v Shanklin & Godshill II; Newport v St Helens; Northwood v Cowes; Division 2: Ryde III v Newport II.