CRICKET
THE fantastic efforts of Ventnor groundsman Graham Cotton ensured Steephill was able to beat the weather and stage two matches at the weekend.
The Harwoods Renault IW League, Division 1 match between Ventnor III and Newport went ahead, with Tom Dye’s side winning by six wickets.
Asked to bat first on an excellent looking pitch protected from the elements by the covers, only Henry Bartlett (29) and David Beven (32) made much of a fist of a Newport attack which saw Ashley Brett take 3-15, Matt Webb (2-28) and Harry Dye (2-17). Their eventual total of 103 posed few problems for the visitors who won comfortably enough, Andy Long (25) and Harry Dye (30) top scoring.
On Sunday, Ben Woodhouse hit a fine 88 in Ventnor’s 90-run win over Calmore at Steephill.
Defending a total of 187, the home side dismissed the visitors for 97, Josh Franklin taking 5-8.
l In a rain-affected match, Whitecroft beat Arreton in Division 2 of the IW league.
Arreton made 115-2, but 74 not out from Andy Potts earned Whitecroft a nine-wicket win.