Ventnor climbed into 2nd place in the Southern Premier League after an impressive all-round display secured a 35-run victory over Havant at Steephill.
Ben Woodhouse’s side continued their excellent season with a composed performance, posting 247-7 from their 50 overs before bowling Havant out for 212 with five overs to spare.
Dan Cox top-scored with a superb 73, while Sri Lankan Dineth Thimodya added 57 in an innings that put Ventnor firmly in control. Alex Stogdon chipped in with 28 and youngster Ian Hailes made 25 as the Islanders collected maximum batting points.
Ventnor then backed up their work with the bat by making early inroads into the Havant reply.
Archie Lucy claimed 2-64 and Cox followed up his half-century with outstanding figures of 3-25. Ethan Short, Thimodya and Hailes also took wickets as Havant slipped from 156-6 to 212 all out, sealing another important victory for the hosts.
Ventnor return to Steephill on Saturday when Hambledon are the visitors for a match starting at midday.
DERBY DAY DELIGHT FOR SHANKLIN & GODSHILL
Shanklin & Godshill claimed local bragging rights with a commanding 95-run victory over Ventnor’s second XI in Saturday’s Hampshire League derby at Westhill.
Olly Niemiec produced the standout innings of the day, smashing 119 to underpin the hosts’ total of 262-6. Ollie Pease contributed 42 and George Niemiec added 41.
Ventnor were unable to mount a sustained reply despite Tom Noyes making 33, Aaron Hartup 28, Toby Noyes 27 and captain Ben Davies 26.
Harry Moore was the pick of the bowlers with 3-34 as Shanklin & Godshill wrapped up an emphatic derby victory.
The main change is that it reads more like a match report than a score summary, while still including all the key performances.
