VENTNOR'S second team are celebrating back-to-back promotions after clinching the Hampshire League Division 3 (South) title against Isle of Wight rivals Shanklin and Godshill at Steephill on Saturday (August 31).
After another superb season, Ventnor II claimed the title with a six-wicket victory for Ben Davies’s side, who can look forward to Division 2 cricket next season, within a revised Hampshire League structure which will comprise ten teams per division, playing each other home and away.
Shanklin, the visitors, were invited to bat first — suffering an early setback when Matt Lambourne was brilliantly caught by Hugh Calloway at slip off pacy former first team skipper, Chris Russell.
From there, Seb Egerton-Read (20), George Niemiec (27) and Sean Phillips (30 not out) top scored as Ben White’s team recovered from 127-7 to reach 172-8 from their 45 overs.
Charlie Calloway was the pick of the Ventnor bowlers, with 3-39.
In reply, Ventnor lost two wickets in the opening overs, before a partnership of 94 between Ben Attrill and Neil Westhorpe swung the momentum back in their favour.
Attrill struck eight fours and a six in a fine knock of 51, while left-hander Westhorpe struck ten boundaries in an impressive undefeated 66 to ensure victory with more than six overs to spare.
Shanklin, however, will have to go again in Hampshire 3 next season, after looking like potentially gaining promotion too for most of the campaign, finishing sixth.
In Division 1 of the Southern Premier League, Ventnor's first team fell to another defeat — concluding their season with a whimper, rather than a flourish, with a fourth successive loss.
Ventnor suffered a 14-run defeat at Totton and Eling.
The Islanders’ bowling attack had the upper hand for much of the afternoon, with the hosts reduced to 117-7 — Dineth Thimodya (3-31) doing the damage.
However, a substantial recovery from Totton saw them eventually post 223-8 from their 50 overs.
But a 62-run opening partnership between Sri Lankan, Thimodya (49), and Ben Woodhouse (19) gave Ventnor encouragement.
However, the loss of quick wickets saw them slip to 125-5.
A run-a-ball 31 from Henry Edwards and a patient 38 not out from Toby Noyes kept the Islanders in the hunt, but further wickets cost them as the home side claimed a final day victory.
In Hampshire 1, Ryde lost by four wickets at home to Kerala to finish a disappointing third off the bottom.
Ryde were skittled out for 122, with Ash Goldsmith leading the way with 47.
Despite the Ryde bowlers' efforts, Kerala reached 125-6, with Goldsmith taking 3-28, and Matt Webb 2-11.
In Hampshire 4 (South), the Kerala II v Ryde II game was cancelled, which saw the Islanders finish their season in 12th spot.
In Division 1 of the Island League, hosts Shanklin and Godshill II were beaten by Northwood by 88 runs at Westhill.
Northwood, who posted 191-6, Jeff Barrett (75 not out) and Dave Anderson (47) did all the damage.
In reply, Shanklin were bowled out for 103, with Ben Baker (0-3) and Neil Redmond (3-8).
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