VENTNOR'S wavering form continued — this time blown away by Basingstoke and North Hants in unusually blustery conditions on the Isle of Wight on Saturday.

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An eight-wicket defeat was one of their heaviest losses at Steephill in recent times.

Isle of Wight County Press: Martin Blackman top scored for Ventnor.Martin Blackman top scored for Ventnor. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor opener Henry Bartlett smashes a six.Ventnor opener Henry Bartlett smashes a six. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Considering how tricky the conditions were, however, Ventnor posted a reasonable 220 all out, with Martin Blackman (80) and Rob Snell (62) adapting well and batting superbly.

However, it was the visitors who adapted the better, as they reached their target comfortably with the loss of only two wickets.

Ventnor remain in mid-table, with five losses and defeats. It would take a mix of unbelievable form and lady luck from now on if Ventnor were to gain promotion from Division 1 of the Southern Premier League.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor's lower order batsman Rob Snell hit a swashbuckling 62. Ventnor's lower order batsman Rob Snell hit a swashbuckling 62. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Rob Snell hits a boundary.Rob Snell hits a boundary. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

In Hampshire 1, it was the visitors again who adapted to the high winds much better as Ryde lost to Odiham and Greywell by a mammoth 167 runs.

Odiham and Greywell posted a superb 310-8, with Kerry Rice the best of the Ryde bowlers with 3-59.

In reply, Ryde were skittled out for 143.

The Hampshire 3 (South) and Hampshire 4 (South) matches were cancelled due to the weather.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor bowler Charlie Calloway pulls off a superb caught and bowled.Ventnor bowler Charlie Calloway pulls off a superb caught and bowled. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Most of the Island League matches survived the conditions. 

In Division 1, the Dye brothers — Harry and Tom — produced an excellent batting partnership at Newclose to help steer Newport to an easy win over Ventnor III. 

Newport's Harry Dye (70 not out) and Tom (48 not out), together with Ash Brett (48), helped steer Newport to a competitive 247-6.

Gary Cooper bowled superbly, returning figures of 5-12.

In reply, Ventnor III limped to 126-9 to lose by 121 runs.

At Westhill, Shanklin and Godshill II found it tough against Freshwater, despite doing well to restrict the West Wight outfit to 195-9.

Gary Freeston hit 77 in their total, with Lee Powell bowling tight (3-16). 

Shanklin's toothless 130 all out — with only Andy White (42) putting up any resistance — came from decent bowling by Freshwater, with Sam Vandecasteele (4-13) and Freeston (2-17), who led the visitors to a 65-run victory. 

In Division 2, old rivals Northwood II hosted Newport II — the latter winning by 105 runs.

Newport II set an excellent 281-4 — John Godwin hitting 104 not out, well backed by Steve Gurney (75).

Northwood II could not get going, reaching 176-4, with D.Anderson (64) their top scorer.
Ollie Pease bowled well to return 3-12.

                                                  SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Southern League Premier, Division 1 — Calmore Sports v Ventnor; Hampshire 1 — Shrewton v Ryde; Hampshire 3 (South) — Shanklin & Godshill v Bournemouth III; Hampshire 4 (South) — Ryde II v Trojans II; Ventnor II v Burridge III; Island League Division 1 — Northwood v Newport; St Helens v Freshwater; Division 2 — Cowes v Ryde III; Newport II v Northwood II.