12-05-2025
Mixed fortunes for Island cricket as big scores and bold spells mark weekend
VENTNOR'S promising start to their 175th-anniversary campaign in Division 1 of the Southern Premier Cricket League suffered a setback on Saturday (May 10), as they were beaten by 39 runs at home to Rowledge.
Winning the toss, the visitors elected to bat first at Steephill and posted a competitive total of 261 for five from their allotted 50 overs.
Ventnor's bowlers toiled hard in warm conditions, with Daniel Cox the pick of the attack.
He claimed three crucial wickets for 48 runs from his ten overs to halt Rowledge's momentum.
George Watts and Archie Lucy also chipped in with a wicket apiece, but tidy spells from Dineth Thimodya and Hugh Calloway went unrewarded in the wickets column.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dineth Thimodya in action for Ventnor (Image: Dave Reynolds)
Chasing 262 for victory, Ventnor got off to a steady start but lost skipper Ben Woodhouse for 22.
Once again, it was Thimodya who led from the front with the bat, striking 42 from 49 balls – including three sixes.
Cox mirrored his bowling performance with a fluent 42, while Joshua Carpenter top-scored with a patient 43 off 65 deliveries.
However, a flurry of middle-order wickets saw the Islanders lose momentum at a crucial stage.
Despite contributions from Sam Mills (17) and Devon Pollard (13), Ventnor were eventually bowled out for 222 in their final over.
The result leaves Ventnor with six points from the encounter – four for batting and two for bowling – and hungry to bounce back next weekend as their landmark season continues.
Ryde continued their bright start in Division 2B of the Hampshire Cricket League with a hard-fought 33-run victory over Winton at Partlands.
The home side won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a competitive 245 all out in their 45 overs.
Leading the way was Tom Durman, who produced a sparkling innings of 97 from 87 balls — a knock that included 12 fours and three sixes and proved to be the backbone of Ryde's total.
Support came from Ashley Goldsmith (29) and Benjamin Shannon (20), while Tom Roscoe chipped in with a quickfire 26.
Extras proved valuable again, with 29 gifted runs helping push Ryde to a defendable total.
In reply, Winton made steady progress but were gradually pegged back by disciplined bowling.
Star of the show with the ball was Durman once more, this time returning remarkable figures of six for 39 from his nine overs.
Ashley Goldsmith also claimed a wicket in a lively three-over spell, and the rest of the attack kept things tight to see the visitors dismissed for 212 in 42 overs.
The win keeps Ryde's momentum going early in the season, securing them 24 valuable points as they aim for a strong campaign.
Ventnor 2nd XI endured a punishing afternoon in Division 2B of the Hampshire Cricket League, falling to a 172-run defeat at the hands of a dominant Portsmouth 2nd XI at the St Helens Ground.
Portsmouth won the toss and opted to bat first, making full use of the favourable conditions to post a daunting 333 for four from their 45 overs.
Ventnor's bowlers were put to the sword in a relentless display, struggling to make breakthroughs as Portsmouth piled on the runs.
In reply, Ventnor's innings never truly got going.
Benjamin Attrill offered some early resistance with a fluent 34, supported by Ben Davies who contributed a useful 31 in the middle order.
Rafe Hawkins added an unbeaten 18 at the tail, but the Islanders were bowled out for 161 in 39.4 overs.
Despite the heavy defeat, Ventnor claimed six points from the match and will be keen to bounce back when they return to Steephill next weekend.
Shanklin & Godshill continued their winning start to the Division 3B season with a hard-earned 13-run victory away at Emsworth, thanks to a superb unbeaten century from George Niemiec.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first at Emsworth's Coldharbour Lawn, Shanklin posted a formidable 253 for six from their 45 overs.
Niemiec anchored the innings with an outstanding 103 not out from 126 deliveries, stroking 16 boundaries along the way.
He was well-supported by Sean Phillips, who hit a brisk 51 not out, and Ben White, who chipped in with a fluent 45.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Shanklin and Godshill's batters maintained momentum, aided by 30 extras conceded by the hosts, including 17 wides.
In response, Emsworth fought back strongly but were restricted to 240 for eight in their 45 overs, falling short by 13 runs.
Shanklin's bowlers held their nerve under pressure, and some tidy spells at the death ensured the visitors collected 23 points for their efforts.
In the Island League Division 1, Northwood (77-1) made light work of Wight Whizzers (76 all out), winning by nine wickets.
Simon Goldsmith ripped through the visitors with a brilliant 5-10, well-supported by Shane Keates (2-11).
Gary Cooper led the reply with a fluent 45 as Northwood wrapped up the chase in under 15 overs.
Meanwhile, Newport were awarded a full 24 points after St Helens conceded their opening fixture.
The match was due to be played at The Green but did not go ahead.
In Division 2, Arreton (213-7) proved too strong for Shanklin and Godshill thirds (75 all out), winning by 138 runs.
Louis Vanassche led with 62, and Tony Blaize blasted 47 not out, backed by 48 extras.
Alastair Gates (3-2) and Peter McClelland (3-12) did the damage with the ball.
Freshwater (148-4) overcame Ventnor fourths (144-8) to win by six wickets at School Field.
Ben Fry stood out with a battling 50 for Ventnor, but Harry Charlesworth (3-13) turned the tide with the ball.
Holliday then anchored the chase with 60 as Freshwater secured the points
Porchfield (299-3) overwhelmed Newport 2nd XI (147-8) to win by 152 runs in their Fred Winter Cup Group B clash.
Marriott was the star, smashing an unbeaten 142 from just 106 deliveries, including 11 fours and six sixes.
He was well supported by Billy Clarke (85) and T Wells (41), with the trio taking Porchfield to a formidable total.
Newport's chase started poorly, slipping to 10-3, and despite resistance from James Haydon (24) and Paul Attrill (33), they never recovered.
Porchfield's bowlers shared the spoils, with Owain Hooper, Toby Corbin, Callum Capon and Drake-Knight each taking two wickets.
