INDOOR CRICKETVENTNOR got one hand on the Harwoods Renault League Division 1 title, with a convincing victory over FSC last Sunday.
Adam Hose (31 not out) and Arthur Halsey (27 not out), were the main run makers as Ventnor set a solid total of 145-3.
FSC’s hopes of affecting the title race were soon ended by the bowling of George Parker (3-28), only Mark Woodhouse (34) resisting the Ventnor attack, the hosts all out for 105.
St Helens rounded off their season with a routine win over GKN.
Batting first St Helens, led by Lee Brown (40) posted 130 all out.
GKN never threatened to chase successfully and were all out for 67, the wicket taking split equally by Duncan Spite, Dave Brown, and Marc Allen.
Earlier, reigning champions Niton took on last season’s Dorset champions Poole Town in the ECB National Indoor Club Championship, with a place in the regional finals in Somerset at stake.
Put in to bat, Niton struggled to make early runs against accurate and pacy bowling. Needing to take risks two run outs stalled momentum, and when Joby Wells (29) was caught the innings faltered, ending on 62-5.
Under no pressure to score quick runs Poole batted steadily to pass the total with four overs to spare for the loss of one wicket.
The over-45s indoor league commences next Friday, February 28, at the Fairway Sports Centre. Any players looking for a team can call Paul Biddlecombe on 406583.
l Ventnor Cricket Club’s AGM takes place athtier Steephill clubhouse on Tuesday, starting at 7.30pm.