INDOOR CRICKETNITON’S title challenge was all but ended in the Harwoods Renault Indoor League Division 1 at Fairway Sports Complex last Sunday, dropping two points in a rare tied game with GKN II.
Niton opened the batting and a bright start from Joby Wells (30) and Tom Doble (27) put them well on course.
However, three wickets in one over from Rob Holdcroft (3-34) derailed the innings and they finished of 103.
In reply, GKN II started brightly before being pegged back by Wells (0-8) and some sharp fielding earning three run-outs. With just one wicket remaining and needing ten to win off the last over, opener Alan Johns (30 not out) tied the scores with two balls remaining but Guy Wells held his nerve to complete the over without conceding the winning run to finish honours even.
Ventnor completed their league programme on top of the table with a win over Island Bakeries.
Bakeries batted first, looking to build on last week’s confidence boosting win, but they struggled to build momentum against unbeaten Ventnor, Hugh Calloway (2-11), Neil Westhorpe (2-40) and Dave Beven (2-9) bowling Bakeries out for 84.
Disciplined bowling made Ventnor wait until the 11th over to secure the points, openers Martin Blackman (25 not out) and Marcus Toms (23) the highlights as Ventnor won by five wickets.
SVYC’s poor recent form continued as they were defeated by Ryde.
Andy White (39) and Ian Riley (22) given little support as SVYC were bowled out for 112. Ryde’s chase started slowly until opener Kev Cooper (55 not out) and Jamie Icke (28 not out) helped them to a three-wicket victory.
GKN defeated bottom side Northwood.
Northwood’s Harry Collier (30) and Ashley Goldsmith (31 not out) helped their side to reach 101-5 (Ben Wadmore 3-17) but GKN’s openers Darren Ringer (27 not out) and Wadmore (22) scored quickly in the early overs to put GKN in the driving seat and they won by five wickets.