TWO impressive half centuries helped Ryde go on to beat bottom side Bramshaw in Division 1 of the Hampshire League on Saturday.

Ryde, batting first, amassed a below par 196 all out, with Kerry Race and Jack Summers hitting 56 runs apiece.

Thanks to some effective bowling from Ryde, spearheaded by Ben Gregory (3-35) and Ashley Goldsmith (3-36), the visitors were skittled out for 178, to win by 18 runs.

The moves Ryde up to ninth place — a good platform from which to launch a rise into the promotion reckoning.

Julian Jayerajah in action for Ryde.Julian Jayerajah in action for Ryde. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

An under-strength Ventnor side fell to a crushing 159-run defeat in their Southern Premier League Division 1 match at Hook & Newnham Basics.

After off-spinners Dan Cox (1-27) and Dineth Thimodya (1-34) had restricted the mid-innings scoring, the hosts' Rupert Armstrong cut loose to hit an unbeaten 98 as the hosts amassed 275-8 from their 50 overs.

In reply, Ventnor never recovered from the loss of early wickets — and were dismissed for 116 in just 32 overs.

Ben Woodhouse’s team will look to bounce back when Totton & Eling visit Steephill on Saturday.

In Division 3 (South) of the Hampshire League, Ventnor II moved up to third spot after beating Emsworth by five wickets at Steephill.

The visitors, batting first, were bowled out for 195, with Ventnor's Sam Read (4-40) and Kayton Evans (2-22) doing most of the damage.

In response, Ventnor openers Mark Fletcher (27) and Ash Brett (31) provided a 50-run start, but it was Tom Stafford, with nine fours in a fine unbeaten 47, who saw the hosts home.

Tom Durman sees one of his deliveries whistle past the ear of a Branshaw batsman.Tom Durman sees one of his deliveries whistle past the ear of a Branshaw batsman. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Shanklin & Godshill, who had a free weekend, remain top of the pile after seven games.

It was not such a good day for Ryde II, who lost by three wickets at Portsmouth & Southsea.

Ryde II, batting first, could only muster a modest 145 all out, with Harry Everard (33) showing any resistance.

The hosts reached their target, but not without a few nerves. Mark Tuckwell got 2-22.

At Westhill, Ventnor’s fourths beat Shanklin & Godshill’s thirds by a comfortable five wickets, in their Island League Division 2 match.

After Jim Thorn had hit 51 in the home side’s modest 126-7, the visitors were led to victory by Mahesh Kumar (30) and a fine sixth wicket partnership of 52 between Jess Glover (21 not out) and Nick Dobson (34 not out).

Shanklin's N. Redmond grabbed 2-24.

FIXTURES

Southern Premier Cricket League, Division 1: Ventnor v Totton & Eling; Hampshire League, Division 1: Burridge II v Ryde; Hampshire 3 (South): Totton & Eling II v Ventnor II; Emsworth v Shanklin & Godshill; Hampshire 4 (South): Ryde II v Challengers Gosport; Island League Division 1: Newport v St Helens; Northwood v Ventnor III; Shanklin v Freshwater; Division 2: Shanklin & Godshill III v Newport II; Ventnor IV v Northwood II.