VENTNOR got their 175th anniversary season in Division 1 of the Southern Premier Cricket League off to an absolute flyer with an easy win over Waterlooville at Steephill.
Yesterday (Saturday), the Islanders won the toss and elected to field — skittling the visitors out for a modest 213.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dineth Thimodya led the bowling attack, with figures of 3-31.
After losing their first wicket, skipper Ben Woodhouse, with just a single on the board, it proved to be Ventnor’s only blip.
Centurion, Dineth Thimodya, in stunning batting form already for Ventnor. (Image: Dave Reynolds) An excellent partnership followed, with Thimodya showing his class again with the bat, to hit a superb 127 not out.
He was well-supported by Daniel Cox, who hit a patient 77 not out.
Ventnor reached their target with 6.1 overs to spare, to win by nine wickets.
In the newly-structured Hampshire League, Ryde and Ventnor seconds play in Division 2B, with the prospect of two derbies.
In their opening matches, both got off to winning starts on the road.
Ventnor, with back-to-back promotions, defeated Cadnam by 38 runs.
Batting first, the Islanders amassed 268-6 in their 45 overs, with Toby Noyes run out for 93, backed by solid knocks from Gary Legg (39) and Martin Blackman (38).
Ventnor bowled the hosts out for 230.
Ryde defeated Burridge seconds by 87 runs in game that saw the bowlers largely on top.
The Ventnor first team that faced Waterlooville at Steephill on Saturday (May 2) (Image: Dave Reynolds) At the crease first, Ryde made fairly hard work of reaching 240 all out — about 40 short of where they wanted to be.
Benjamin Shannon (66) and Andy Day (42) in the middle order put Ryde on a good footing after a poor start, with Tom Durman pitching in with 36.
The Islanders set about their task in the field with aplomb — bowling Burridge out for just 153.
Ian Hailes was the pick of the Ryde bowlers, with 4-18 from his economic nine overs.
In Division 3B, Shanklin and Godshill also got off to a winning start — defeating Portsmouth and Southsea seconds by five wickets, at Westhill.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Shanklin worked hard to restrict the visitors to 248-9 — skipper Ben White leading by example with a superb 5-56.
Dan Cox sees an edge fall just short of the slip fielder (Image: Dave Reynolds) Shanklin staged a good, attacking response to the target set, with Harry Collier hitting an excellent 93 not out.
He was well supported with some decent contributions from Olly Niemiec (50) and Tom Quaife (35), as Shanklin won with 5.1 overs to spare.
In the Island League, there were games in Division 2.
Shanklin and Godshill seconds (304-2) put Arreton (117 all out) to the sword, to win by 187 runs.
Opener Steve Egerton-Read got his season off to the perfect start with an unbeaten 123, with great support from Glen Speller (88) and Sam Billington (40 not out).
Steve Priddle picked up 3-11 and Pete Brown 3-20.
Newport seconds (266-4) beat Freshwater (101-9) by 165 runs.
For Newport, with the bat, there were nitable performance by Connal Howells (110 not out), Aaron Hartup (68 retired) and Ash Brett (37), while Paul Attrill grabbed 3-12.
Northwood seconds (231-8) beat Ventnor IV (204 all out) by 27 runs.
Liam Goldsmith (66), Martyn Richards (39) and Callum Witham (30) lead the Northwood charge, with James Travers-Garrety taking 3-58.
In reply, Ventnor’s Chris Andrew top scored with 52 not out, and Nick Stafford grabbed 3-41 for the hosts.
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