VENTNOR hit a season low when they entertained Portsmouth at Steephill in Division 1 of the Southern Cricket Premier League on Saturday.
Having bowled so well to skittle out Portsmouth for a modest 132, with Charlie Calloway taking 2-9, Ventnor must have felt they had a golden opportunity to pick up another home win.
When Dineth Thimodya got Ventnor off to a solid start, it looked probable, but when he was dismissed for 23, the batting collapsed to an embarrassing 69 all out, making it successive losses.
In Division 1 of the Hampshire League, Ryde's poor away form continued with a 42-run loss at Bashley (Rydal).
After Bashley put the pressure on Ryde with a decent 257-4, with Tom Durman taking 3-53, Ryde's response came up short.
Durman top scored with 60 in what was a great personal performance for the Islanders.
With three fixtures remaining, Ventnor II look favourites for promotion from Division 3 (South), after picking up yet another victory, this time away at Old Netley and Highfield.
Ventnor amassed a mammoth 276-3, with Mark Fletcher hitting a superb 112 not out, forming a great partnership with Rob Snell (71).
Old Netley, put under pressure by tight Ventnor bowling, led by Hugh Calloway (3-49) and Snell (2-14 from his nine overs), restricted the hosts to 202-9, giving the Islanders a comprehensive 74-run victory.
Shanklin and Godshill kept up their bid to go up with Ventnor II with a crucial seven-wicket win at Verwood.
Verwood posted a competitive 201-6, with Andy White rolling back the years with 2-16.
In reply, Shanklin got there comfortably, with George Niemiec (76 not out) and Harry Collier (55) the stand-out performers.
In Hampshire 4 (South), Ryde II eased their relegation fears with a five-wicket success over Calmore Sports.
After knocking over Calmore for 176, with Jibin Matthew grabbing 3-31, Ryde showed determination to reach their target, with Ellis Ridett top scoring with 45.
In the Island League, Division 1, Newport hammered Freshwater by eight wickets at Newclose.
Samuel Blaize (4-3) and Grant Richardson (2-1) led the way in Newport's potent bowling attack, to end Freshwater's innings with just 104 on the board.
The runaway league leaders knocked off their target easily, with man of the match Richardson hitting 50 not out.
In Division 2, Newport II beat their Northwood counterparts by 29 runs.
Newport posted 215-5, with Manuel Kannampuzha (45) and Reece Attrill (42 not out) leading the batting attack.
Northwood came up short, despite superb knocks from Liam Roberts (96) and Martyn Richards (63).
In the group stages of the Fred Winter Cup, Ventnor IV defeated Shanklin III by seven wickets, with Charles Andrew (3-6) Ventnor's top performer.
On Sunday, in a repeat of the cup fixture, in Division 2, Ventnor IV beat Shanklin III by 111 runs, with Nick Dobson (65 not out), Tom Noyes (57) and Adam Goulding (54 not out), the stand out batsmen.
FIXTURES — FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Isle of Wight Women's League — Arreton v Ventnor (6pm).
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Southern Premier League, Division 1 — Sarisbury Athletic v Ventnor; Hampshire League, Division 1 — Ryde v Bournemouth II; Hampshire 3 (South) — Shanklin & Godshill v Old Netley & Highfield, Ventnor II v New Milton II; Hampshire 4 (South) — Ampfield & North Baddesley; Island League, Division 2 — Shanklin III v Ventnor IV; Isle of Wight Senior Cup, group stages — Freshwater v Shanklin & Godshill II, Northwood v Ventnor III; Fred Winter Cup, group stages — Newport II v Cowes.
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