STUNNING performances from Isle of Wight-born James Cheek and Martin Blackman rewrote the record books, in Ventnor second team’s Hampshire League Division 4 (South) clash with Emsworth II at Steephill on Saturday.

Coming together at 68-1, Cheek hit nine sixes and 26 fours in a superb knock of 209, while Blackman struck 11 sixes and 22 boundaries in a fine unbeaten innings of 204, to provide great entertainment.

Their extraordinary partnership of 365 for the second wicket was the second highest in Hampshire League history, while the enormous 464-2 from 45 overs set a new league record.

Never in living memory — and in such rapid fashion — have two Ventnor players hit double hundreds in the same innings.

Blackman, the Isle of Wight Cricket Board's disability cricket development officer, took just 116 balls to reach his career top score, while Cheek, a sports teacher at Carisbrooke Primary, got his in 134 deliveries to achieve his personal best.

Reflecting on his superb innings, Blackman, of East Cowes, said: "It's got to be up there. I thoroughly enjoyed myself out in the middle — so much so, I didnn't even notice how hot it was.

"I've been playing adult cricket since I was aged 15 and that was my first double century. It was a long time in the making.

"My wife was upset she missed it. I told her I'll try to do it again sometime this summer."

His 204 will go some way towards his ambition this season of passing his 10,000 runs for the club, who he joined in 2000.

Blackman paid tribute to his playing partner, Cheek.

"James played really well and deserved his rewards. I actually coached him a bit as a youth," he added.

Cheek, 29, of Rookley, who was part of the Hampshire set up between the ages of nine and 17 years, was playting in only his fifth league game in the past three years.

"We started the innings off just wanting to get enough runs on the board to be in a good position to win it, but once we both got to 100, we thought we would push things along," said Cheek.

"I've hit a few hundreds before, but to get such a high score was satisfying.

"I rode my luck a bit. I was dropped a few times. My God, it really took it out of me. I felt very tired for a few days afterwards." 

Off-spinner, Toby Noyes, took 5-16, as the shellshocked visitors were dismissed for 85, leaving Ventnor winners by a mammoth 365-run margin to earn maximum points.