INDOOR CRICKETNEWPORT improved their chances of retaining their Harwoods Renault Indoor League, Division 1 title with a straight-forward victory over challengers SVYC.
SVYC batted first but their hopes of posting a match winning score were dashed by a superb spell from Louis Payne (4-13), as they were restricted to 109-5 (Andy White 27), a total Newport’s Tom Dye and Stuart Gurney (both 25 not out) made quick work of chasing.
Niton extended their unbeaten run to remain top with a routine victory over Northwood, Joby Wells (30 not out) and Tom Doble (23 not out) among the runs again as Niton recorded 129-2.
Despite a solid start Northwood’s batsmen couldn’t get to grips with Niton’s disciplined bowling, Les Cupis (3-19) and Guy Wells (2-8) spearheading the attack as Northwood were bowled out for 75.
GKN recorded their first win of the season, after openers Ben Wadmore (49 not out) and Darren Ringer (26 not out) steered GKN to 148-4.
Ryde Cavaliers chased positively but were always slightly behind and reached the final over still needing an improbable 28 to win and finished 16 runs out (Chris Higgins 26, T. Roscoe 29).
Ryde were made to work hard for their runs, Mark Oatley (30), Lawrence Tolfrey (29) and A. Davis (33 not out) the main contributors as a disciplined Ventnor attack limited them to 120-5, a total opener Mark Whyte (26 not out) led his team past with four wickets in hand.
In Division 2 at Ryde Sports Centre, Whitecroft remain unbeaten after defeating IW Health Associates.
Whitecroft’s batsmen chased down Health Associates’ 103-4 (Raj 26 not out, Lewis 24 not out) Kai Barnes and Mark Simmonds (both 26 not out) the pick of the Whitecroft batting.
Ryde IIs go into next week’s crucial match with Whitecroft in high spirits following a crushing defeat of GKN III.
They bowled GKN out for just 18 (Calvin Dickenson 2-6, Jaydon Buckeridge 1-1) after David Buckeridge (25 not out), Calvin Dickenson (26 not out), and Pete Dickenson (27 not out) as Ryde reached 148-2 in the first innings.
Newport II continued their recent winning run with victory over Ryde Cavaliers Veterans, chasing down the Cavs’ 88 all out (Mike Watson 2-20) without losing a wicket (Watson 22 not out, Ellis Ridett 26 not out).
Godshill’s outside chance of taking the league was kept alive with victory over IW Prison Officers.
Batting first, Godshill started quickly, opener Steve Read (26 not out) leading the charge, before the Prison Officers tightened up the bowling to restrict Godshill to 131-3.
In reply, Officers’ openers Adam Wilson (38) and John Turner (46) kept their side up with the run-rate, but the loss of wickets regularly left the game finely balanced and Norton Mew dismissed Turner with the last ball of the penultimate over to secure a seven-run win.
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Young Cavaliers took a giant step towards winning the Sandrock Services League by comprehensively beating Freshwater.
Freshwater lost their talisman, Graham Gosden, early and were unable to record a competitive total against some accurate bowling, from Harry Bradley in particular.
Requiring just 70 to win the game, the Cavaliers cruised to victory inside eight overs.
Cask and Crispin successfully chased down 131 to beat second-placed Bembridge.
Karl Lacey, with 25 not out, and a late flourish from Rob Love allowed Bembridge to post a decent total and their chances of victory were enhanced when Crispin lost Owain Hooper, early.
Chris Ash (37 not out) and Toby Corbin (33 not out), however, combined to produce a match-winning partnership in an exciting finish.
A fine innings of 54 not out by Cyrus Dean provided the backbone to Wootton’s score of 128-5 against Binstead Royals.
Royals’ reply was quick with Barry Lloyd (29) and Dave Lloyd (33) hitting well, but the innings floundered in the latter stages and it was left to Geoff Smith (37) to see Binstead home in an entertaining match.
Ryde CC Colts easily defeated a depleted Arreton side.
Batting first, they compiled 138-2, Sam Rockley unbeaten on 44, Ollie Moseley (25 not out) and Guy Bonnett (25 not out) adding to the tally.
Arreton’s reply started badly with the loss of two wickets in the first over and they were dismissed for 70.