INDOOR CRICKET
NITON took an early lead in Division 1 of the Harwoods Renault Indoor League, after a huge win over newly promoted Whitecroft.
Niton posted 155-3 from their 12 overs, Tom Doble top scored with 34 not out and was ably supported by Joby Wells (31 not out) and Tom Wells (27 not out).
In reply, no Whitecroft batsman could reach double figures and they were bowled out for just 32, Joby Wells taking 2-7.
Newport are second after defeating Ryde. Ryde batted first and some quick late runs helped them on to 131-3, Rob Hobbs hitting 41 not out and Lawrence Tolfrey adding 27 not out.
Newport started quickly and despite two early wickets were always up with the run rate. Tom Dye hit 34 not out, Harris Payne 28 not out and Ash Brett 22 as Newport passed the target for the loss of three wickets.
Ventnor were pushed all the way by Northwood in the match of the night at Sandown.
Northwood batted first and after openers, Ashley Goldsmith (28 not out) and Gavin Paddock (25 not out) retired, the lower order of Mark Tuckwell (20 not out) and Jon Goldsmith (20) accelerated and pushed Northwood on to 139-3, Hugh Calloway taking 2-36 for Ventnor.
Ben Baker (2-45) took two early wickets for Northwood, but 32 not out from David Beven and 23 from Josh Franklin turned the game Ventnor’s way. Kevin Cooper also added 20 not out as Ventnor reached the total off the very last ball with two wickets remaining.
GKN also came out as winners after a close contest with Ryde Cavaliers. The ever-reliable Alan Johns made 32 as GKN ended on 126-5, Mark Allen doing most of the damage for Cavaliers with 2-31.
However, early wickets were the downfall of Cavaliers who struggled to recover from their poor start. Grant Richardson (22) and Chris Higgins (21) gave them hope but they fell short on 112-5, Mark Hartnell taking 2-25 for GKN, who won by 14 runs.
SANDROCK SERVICES LEAGUEYoung Cavaliers maintained their unbeaten record in the Sandrock Services League, with a comfortable win over Binstead Royals last weekend.
Dan Bradley claimed two wickets in his first over and, despite a measured innings by Dave Lloyd (29 not out), the Royals could only muster 87. The Cavaliers knocked the runs off inside eight overs without loss.
Ryde CC Colts also made it four wins out of four by defeating Freshwater. An aggressive innings of 29 not out by S. Starkins laid the foundation for Colts’ score of 134-3. Freshwater struggled in reply against accurate bowling and although Glenn Bailey and Stuart Read gave hope, the Colts ultimately triumphed by 32 runs.
A hard-hitting innings of 45 not out by Gary Cooper helped Arreton achieve a one-wicket win over Bembridge. Chasing 130 for victory, Arreton raced to 82 off the first six. The introduction of Phil Macdonald (3-20) into the attack stemmed the flow of runs and but for a number of dropped chances, Bembridge might pulled off an improbable victory.
The morning's final match between Wootton and Newport Ale House ended in an exciting tie. Wootton posted 106-4, largely thanks to some intelligent batting down the order by Les Lockey (36 not out). The target seemed well within the Ale House’s capabilities, but they faltered against tight bowling. Simon Berendt (38) kept his team in the game, only to lose his wicket with just one run required.