Sean Nowak bowling for Ventnor in the Island Webservices Cup final against St Helens at Newclose on Sunday. Picture by Peter Boam.
CRICKETA CENTURY from Mark Fletcher laid the foundations for a comprehensive Ventnor victory in the Island Webservices Cup final on Sunday at Newclose.
The opener struck 120 before being bowled and supporting knocks by Neil Westhorpe, 45, Sean Nowak, 47, helped the Steephill men to a commanding 277-8, despite a six-wicket haul for Chris Earley.
The Goose Island team were then dismissed for 88, with skipper Lee Brown holding the fort with 37.
Nowak and Dave Bevan took four apiece for Ventnor in front of the Sky TV cameras.
The previous day, St Helens had better fortunes as they piled up 302-9 in their 163-run triumph over Cowes, on The Green.
Brown piled up 157, supported by Mark Watson, with 76.
Alan Ball was the pick of the Cowes bowlers with 3-15.
After losing early wickets to the pace of Rob Love (4-44), George Hatt’s 70 led the visitors to 163 all out. Chris Wright also took four for St Helens.
In the Harwoods Renault League Cup, Newport progressed thanks to good performances by the Dye brothers.
Tom took 3-26 as GKN were restricted to 163-6 then hit 32, supported by his brother, Harry, 42, and man of the match Sam Richards, 36 not out, in a four-wicket win.
Gavin Paddock’s half-century was the foundation of Northwood’s innings of 225 all out at Westhill, but Shanklin were themselves bowled out for 135.
Nathan Goldsmith for Northwood and Martin Lambourne for Shanklin each took 4-33.
Ventnor III won the battle of two young sides at Smallbrook, beating Ryde Cavaliers by 40 runs.
Jack Nicolaou hit 41 in Ventnor’s total of 225-8 with Matt Walter taking three wickets for Cavs.
Andy Loudon’s 40 could not stop the home side’s defeat, with Marcus Toms grabbing three for the visitors.
In the Division 2 play offs, it was the Mew show at Rookley, where man of the match Phil hit an unbeaten 91 and Trevor 50 as Godshill defeated Freshwater by eight wickets.
Graeme Gosden’s 65 not out and Neil Pitman’s 51 had earler seen the West Wight team to 160-6.
Fifteen-year-old Leo Nutter was Cowes II’s hero against Newport II.
Opening the batting he hit 35 as Cowes notched 192-8 then returned figures of 4-7 as Newport fell 57 runs short, Willie Watson scoring 38.