20-05-2025
Fiery Ventnor bowlers ensure an early trip back home to Island
VENTNOR claimed their second Southern Premier League Division One victory of the season in extraordinary fashion at Old Tauntonians and Romsey on Saturday.
The home side batted first, but were unceremoniously demolished by the Ventnor pace duo of Chris Russell and George Watts.
Working in tandem, the pair produced inspired spells to rout the hosts for just 41 in just 9.5 overs and 50 minutes.
Russell, the former Worcestershire bowler, took 6-15 while Watts claimed 4-18 as the Sports Centre team narrowly avoided an unwanted record.
Australian bowler Ethan Short delivered a fiery opening spell for Ventnor (Image: Dave Reynolds) Only Purbrook, New Milton and Trojans have been dismissed for fewer runs in a Division One fixture over the past 25 years.
Continuing the theme of the game, Ventnor lost five wickets in pursuit of the meagre target, but with Dineth Thimodya hitting 30 and Josh Carpenter 12 not out, a 20-point victory was secured with the match done and dusted inside 22 overs.
Ryde continued their flying start to the Hampshire League season in Division 2B — notching up their third win out of three by beating Lymington seconds in an exciting game across The Solent.
Ryde set a below par 219-8 from their 45 overs — opener Ian Hailes top scoring with 55 and Mark Oatley pitching in with 43 not out.
In reply, Ryde's bowlers did a fine job of containing Lymington's batsmen, to win by just four runs.
Jack Powell blasted 58 for Ventnor seconds. (Image: Dave Reynolds) Meanwhile, their Island rivals, Ventnor seconds, also returned to winning ways, hosting Burridge seconds in a high-scoring contest at Steephill.
After Mark Fletcher and Ben Attrill fell cheaply, Martin Blackman played an outstanding innings, underpinned by 15 boundaries and a six, as the home side set a total of 270-7.
Blackman's momentum was aided by a 120-run stand with Jack Powell, who scored 58.
Ethan Short and Sam Read made early inroads, but Burridge fought back before two crucial wickets saw Ventnor clinch victory by just two runs.
Ventnor II's Hugh Calloway took a fine slip catch off Sam Read's bowling (Image: Dave Reynolds) In Division 3B, Shanklin and Godshill were beaten by Gosport Borough seconds at Westhill, losing by 46 runs after being skittled out for 176.
In Division 1 of the Island League, Ventnor thirds (191 all out) beat St Helens (184 all out) by seven runs at The Green, with Souvak Sanyal (73) and Gary Legg (62) contributing to the Ventnor total.
Defending champions Newport (257-8) beat new team Wight Whizzers (180 all out) by 77 runs at Whitecroft, with Gareth Bricknell (58), Tom Dye (52), and Kev Winchcombe (39) among the runs for Newport.
Newport seconds beat Shanklin and Godshill seconds by one wicket, while Ventnor IV beat Arreton by 71 runs.
