LIFE IS sweet for Ventnor Cricket Club's batsmen at the moment, with another raft of superb performances catching the eye on Saturday.

In Division 1 of the Southern Premier League, Ventnor continued their excellent early season form by beating Hook and Newnham Basics by four wickets, with Sri Lankan all-rounder Dineth Thimodya thumping 146. 

The home side set the Islanders a challenging 277-8 — boosted by 26 wides — with Charlie Calloway the pick of the Ventnor bowlers with 3-46.

Opener Tom Friend, who hit a superb ton at Steephill a week earlier, hit 34 to help take the Ventnor reply to 88, before Thimodya took charge. 

The prolific left-hander thumped 16 fours and five sixes, with teenager Sam Mills playing a crucial supporting role with a fine innings of 47 from 72 deliveries. 

Having taken the visitors to the brink of victory with their 125-run partnership, it was Ross Whyte who saw Ventnor home in the 44th over with an unbeaten 19.

Early leaders Andover visit Steephill on Saturday.

Jumping to Hampshire 4 (South), Ventnor II put on a record-breaking show for the Steephill spectators, with double centurions James Cheek (209) and Martin Blackman (204 not out) putting Emsworth II to the sword (see the County Press for the full story).

Ventnor II amassed 464-2 before their bowlers took the Emsworth II batting apart — skittling them all out for 85, with Toby Noyes the pick of the attack with 5-16, to see the Islanders home by an incredible 379 runs.

At the other end of the scale, Ryde II were hammered by Old Netley and Highfield by ten wickets.

Ryde II were skittled out for 67 before the visitors reached their target.

In Hampshire 1, Ryde's first team were also well beaten, by 73 runs, at Bournemouth II.

Ryde got off to a great start, restricting Bournemouth II to 160 all out, with Sam Rockley 4-50, Ben Gregory 2-17 and Julion Jayerajah 2-26 doing the damage.

Ryde, however, struggled and were bowled out for 87.

In Hampshire 3 (South), Shanklin and Godshill enjoyed a comfortable victory over Bashley (Rydal) III at Westhill. 

Thanks to tight bowling from the Islanders, Bashley (Rydal) III were restricted to a modest 155-8, with Callum Wright 3-24, Ben White 2-12 and Mark Lambourne 2-18 proving a potent attack.

Shanklin reached 156-3 comfortably, with Wright reaching 50 not out, well partnered by White (37), to chalk up a seven-wicket success.

  • On Sunday, Ventnor return to Hook and Newnham Basics to play in the regional final of the Voneus National Village Cup.

                                                             FIXTURES
Southern Premier League, Division 1 — Ventnor v Andover (12.30pm); Hampshire 1 — Ryde v Winton (12.30pm); Hampshire 3 (South) — Southampton Community v Shanklin & Godshill (1pm); Hampshire 4 (South) — Emsworth II v Ryde II (1pm); Hythe & Dibden II v Ventnor II (1pm); Island League, Division 1 (all 1pm) — Northwood v Freshwater; Shanklin & Godshill; Ventnor III v St Helens; Division 2 (both 1pm) — Newport II v Cowes; Ryde III v Northwood II.