NEWPORT first team batsman Tom Dye smashed an unbeaten double century in the Island Senior Cup, while Ventnor got their Southern Premier League Division 1 campaign off to a winning start.

After the weather scuppered their opening two fixtures of their season, Ventnor finally got their league campaign underway on Saturday.

It was a positive start, with Ben Woodhouse’s side convincingly defeating Rowledge by
94 runs at Steephill.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor all-rounder Dineth Thimodya bowls out a Rowledge player.Ventnor all-rounder Dineth Thimodya bowls out a Rowledge player. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor celebrate a wicket against Rowledge.Ventnor celebrate a wicket against Rowledge. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Charlie Calloway picks up a snicked catch for Ventnor. Charlie Calloway picks up a snicked catch for Ventnor. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ollie Morgan picks up a wicket.Ollie Morgan picks up a wicket. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Overseas all-rounder, Dineth Thimodya, returning to Ventnor for a third consecutive season, top scored with 42, as the home side reached 185-9 from their 50 overs.

The Ventnor bowlers reduced the visitors to 41-6 as seamer Ollie Morgan (4-19) and off-spinner Dan Cox (3-21) gained control.

Ventnor dismissed the Hampshire border side for 91 with 16 overs remaining.

In Hampshire League Division 1, Ryde were beaten by 84 runs away at Old Basing in their first match of the season.

After restricting the home side to 160-9, with Tom Durman getting 3-37, Ryde must have felt confident, but they collapsed to 76 all out with 19.3 overs left.

Veteran, Mark Fletcher, top scored for Ventnor II with 51 in their confident victory at Bashley III, in Hampshire 3 (South).

In pursuit of the home team’s 142-8, Fletcher, with useful contributions from other team-mates, saw Ventnor home by seven wickets.

Division rivals, Shanklin and Godshill, also tasted victory, beating Ellingham by 66 runs, to ensure both Island sides remain with 100 per cent win records so far after two games.

Shanklin posted 178 all out, with 12.1 overs still remaining — skipper Ben White leading the way with 58 runs.

But they skittled the home side out for 112, with Harry Moore (3-14) and Tommy Quaife (3-26), doing the most damage.

In the Island Senior Cup group stage, Northwood hammered Freshwater by 287 runs.

Gary Cooper smashed 111, and Kevin Cooper, 81, in their 314-8 from 40 overs.

Embarrassingly for Freshwater, they were bowled out for 27 (12 of them extras) — Dan Ward (4-6), Nathan Goldsmith (3-9) and Robert Wilcox (3-11) getting Northwood's wickets.

Newport put Ventnor III to the sword.

After amassing 385-4, with Tom Dye scoring a personal best 229 not out, well supported by Steven Steinmetz (60 not out), Newport's bowlers skittled Ventnor out for 85.

Max Poynter (4-5) and Louis Payne (3-15) did most of the damage.

At Westhill, Shanklin and Godshill II reduced St Helens to 175-9, with Jeeva scoring a solid 58.

Fifteen-year-old spin bowler, Luka Moreno, was the pick of the Shanklin attack, grabbing 3-17 from his nine overs.

In reply, St Helens bowled out Shanklin for just 103, with Rob Holdcroft outstanding, getting 7-12 from eight overs. 

In the group stage of the Fred Winter Cup, Northwood II beat Shanklin III by seven wickets. Northwood's Neil Redmond got 5-4.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES (MAY 25)

Southern Premier League, Division 1: Old Tauntonians & Romsey v Ventnor.

Hampshire League, Division 1: Ryde v Hayling Island.

Hampshire 3 (South): Shanklin & Godshill v Bashley (Rydal) III; Ventnor II v Southampton Community.

Hampshire 4 (South): Fair Oak III v Ryde II.