AN unbeaten century by Liam Roberts gave Northwood something to successfully defend against Shanklin and Godshill II at Westhill in Division 1 of the Isle of Wight League.

Northwood, batting first, struggled to get the scoreboard moving in the opening 15 overs, thanks to tight bowling, led by Lewis Powell.

But the home side gave away too many wides — Pete Brown the main culprit with 12 of them — as Roberts (101 not out) cut into the rest of the bowling attack. 

On his Division 1 debut, Luka Moreno, 14, bowled four tight overs of spin at the end, as Shanklin restricted Northwood to 205-4.

Roberts, however, reached his ton from Moreno's final ball of the innings.

After a solid start by Shanklin, wickets fell regularly, with two silly run-outs not helping their cause — slumping to 107 all out, with Ben Baker mopping up with 3-2 at the end.

Freshwater beat Ventnor III by three wickets in a relatively quick game.

Ventnor were skittled out for 114, with Bridges (4-21) and Sam Vandecasteele (4-29) leading the way.

Freshwater made heavy weather reaching their target, with three wickets remaining.

Newport amassed a mammoth 309-3 in their win against St Helens at Newclose.

Ash Brett (83), Kev Winchcombe (78) and Louis Payne (73 not out) top scored, with St Helens (184-9) coming up short — Payne grabbing 3-22.

In Division 2, Cowes beat Newport II by 68 runs.