VENTNOR'S summer has been one of inconsistency so far, with their away form again letting them down again, this time away at struggling Andover, in Division 1 of the Southern Premier Cricket League on Saturday.

The Islanders batted first, posting a below par 183 all out, with Dineth Thimodya (33), Sam Mills (30), Henry Edwards (37) and Will Mew (30) all getting good starts, but carrying their innings' through to potential match-winning knocks.

Andover managed to knock off the target with 9.5 overs to spare to win by five wickets.

Meanwhile, Ryde had a much better day — defeating Portsmouth II by two wickets in Hampshire League Division 1.

After bowling Portsmouth out for a handy 197, with Ian Hailes (4-25) and Ash Goldsmith (3-22) doing the damage, Ryde nervously got over the line with two wickets to spare.

Hampshire 3 (South) sees Ventnor II continue their march towards back-to-back promotions after they beat Verwood by a comfortable 72 runs at Steephill.

Ventnor posted a respectable, but not convincing 202-8, with Jack Powell top scoring with 57.

In reply, Verwood were skittled out for 130, with the wickets shared among the impressive bowling attack, which leave Ventnor top of the pile, as they have been all season.

Shanklin and Godshill's recent winning form came to an end in a decent game against Old Tauntonians and Romsey, at Westhill.

The visitors were bowled out for 228, with Harry Moore grabbing 3-42.

But despite excellent knocks from Seb Egerton-Read (93) and Olly Niemiec (55), they came up agonisingly short — losing by two runs, still with four wickets in hand.

With other sides around them faltering, Shanklin remain in third spot, despite the loss.

In Hampshire 4 (South), it was a miserable day at the office for Ryde II (147 all out), who lost away at Portsmouth III, by seven wickets.

In Division 1 of the Island League, Freshwater made light work of Shanklin II (64 all out) — beating them by eight wickets, with Adkins (4-20) the pick of the bowlers.

Newport keep marching on at the top of the table, beating St Helens away by four wickets.

Aaron Hartup (5-20) and Louis Payne (3-26) restricted St Helens to a paltry 78 all out. Marc Allen (3-28) was St Helens' only bright spark in their attack.

Northwood (211 all out) also won, beating Ventnor III by 66 runs at Arreton.

Simon Goldsmith (44) top scored for Northwood, with Ventnor's M.Latha Mohan grabbing 3-40. Hassett scored 56 from Ventnor's 145 all out. Goldsmith (3-23) and N.Goldsmith (3-54) were the pic of the Northwood bowlers.

In Division 2, Newport II beat Ventnor IV by 32 runs. Newport's Olly Pease (71) and Anthony Rajan (3-22) caught the eye.

Northwood II (229-5) beat Shanklin III (162-8) by five wickets.

Northwood's Martyn Richards (57) and Jeff Barrett (61) top scored, with Shanklin's Will Kent getting 3-37.

Shanklin's G. Speller hit a superb 121 not out from a total of 162-8.

FIXTURES — SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

Southern Premier League, Division 1 — Ventnor v Portsmouth; Hampshire League Division 1 — Bashley (Rydal) II v Ryde; Hampshire 3 (South) — Old Netley and Highfield v Ventnor II; Verwood v Shanklin and Godshill; Hampshire 4 (South) — Ryde II v Calmore Sports III; Island League Division 1 — Newport v Freshwater, Shanklin II v Northwood, St Helens v Ventnor III; Division 2 — Northwood II v Newport II; Fred Winter Cup, group stage — Ventnor IV v Shanklin III.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

Island League, Division 2 — Ventnor IV v Shanklin III.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

Isle of Wight Women's League — Newport v Ryde.