CRICKETVENTNOR lifted the Harwoods Renault League, Division 1 title last Sunday at Fairway Sports Complex, with a convincing win over Ryde.
The champions opened the batting knowing a defeat could allow Newport to snatch the title on run-rate.
Reaching 128 without loss, Ventnor took risks to drive the score on and lost all six wickets in the closing stages to end on 155 all out (Adam Hose 38, Mark Whyte 29, Lawrence Tolfrey 3-36).
Early aggressive batting from Ryde set nerves jangling but with wickets falling regularly, the chase petered out ending on 91 all out, leaving Ventnor to celebrate an unbeaten league campaign.
With their title hopes ended, a relaxed Newport side went out to enjoy themselves and racked up 188-3 (Herbert 49 not out, Tom Dye 48 not out, Joe Winchcombe 27, Stuart Gurney 25 not out) against Island Bakeries.
Relegation-threatened Bakeries were never in the chase and were bowled out for 99 in reply.
Ryde Cavaliers eased to victory over GKN, passing GKN’s 121-2 (Liam Ringer 25 not out), with overs and wickets to spare (Hartnell 27 not out, Chris Higgins 27 not out).
In the final match of the season, Ryde Cavaliers II needed an unlikely win against FSC to avoid relegation but their optimism was dimmed after FSC batted first and posted 154-5 (Trevor Mew 54 not out) from their 12 overs.
With nothing to lose, Cavs II attacked from the outset and made a good start before the middle order was gutted by Phil Mew (3-30) leaving the Cavs needing 39 from 12 balls with just one wicket remaining.
Two sixes from the first two balls gave them brief hope before Rob Cooney (33) was out attempting to repeat the feat, leaving them 27 runs short.
SANDROCK SERVICES LEAGUE
Bembridge’s pursuit of a third consecutive League title continued unabated with a five-wicket win over Ryde Youth.
Dan McArthur collected three wickets as Youth were bowled out for 93. J. Jayerajah hit some good shots in his innings of 27 but the other Youth batsman struggled against Bembridge's formidable attack.
McArthur (27 not out) capped a fine all-round performance as Bembridge achieved their target comfortably.
Second-placed West Island amassed 169 runs against Wootton.
Jason Swain top scored with 48 not out and there were also good contributions from Graham Gosden (31 not out) and Glenn Bailey (26 not out). Wootton’s batsmen were unable to fashion any sort of a reply and collapsed to 37 all out.
In defeating Cask and Crispin, Young Cavaliers have secured the third spot in the league.
Positive batting enabled the Cavaliers to reach 146 without the loss of a single wicket. Dan Keller made 29 not out, Andy Loudon 27 not out, and Jordan Galsworthy 26 not out.
Crispin could only muster 88 in reply. Galsworthy captured two wickets and Kieran Thompson and Keller took one apiece.
In the morning’s remaining fixture, Arreton brushed aside bottom-of-the-table Binstead Royals. The foundation of Arreton’s score of 132-3 was a free-scoring partnership between Matt Heelan (29 not out) and Kevin Cooper (27), and Andy Davis also chipped in with 28 not out.
Despite an undefeated knock of 29 by Alex Dear, the Binstead innings failed to gain any momentum and they succumbed to defeat without ever really threatening the Arreton total.