A DRAMATIC tenth wicket stand clinched the narrowest of wins for Ventnor in a terrific Southern Premier League Division 1 encounter against Portsmouth, at Steephill, on Saturday.

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Ventnor skipper Ben Woodhouse and Chris Russell put on a vital 27-run partnership to ensure a one-wicket victory that keeps them in touch with the top sides vying for promotion.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor v Portsmouth — the visitors take a risky single ......Ventnor v Portsmouth — the visitors take a risky single ...... (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: ..... and are run out by quick-thinking Ventnor fielders...... and are run out by quick-thinking Ventnor fielders. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

When the ninth wicket fell at 226, the visitors must have been confident of victory.

But Ventnor’s last wicket pair added crucial runs, including two leg-side sixes, before a sharply taken single with three balls remaining saw them celebrate their fourth win from six so far this season.

Invited to bat first, ex-Ventnor man Ben Duggan (36) helped the visitors to 79-0, before the home side’s off-spin pair of Dineth Thimodya (2-53) and Henry Bartlett (3-36) reduced the vistors to 115-5 — helped by several fine catches. 

Portsmouth recovered to 252 all out, with Ross Whyte taking 3-23.

Isle of Wight County Press: A Portsmouth batsman is dropped by a Ventnor slip fielder.A Portsmouth batsman is dropped by a Ventnor slip fielder. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

An opening stand of 40, with Thimodya hitting 33, gave the hosts a solid base, and after Zeph Wells had departed for 35, a fourth wicket partnership of 84 — Tom Friend (55) and Martin Blackman (34) — took the score to 177 with 12 overs remaining. 

Amid a flurry of wickets, Ross Whyte’s knock of 32 kept Ventnor in the hunt to set up their last-gasp Woodhouse and Russell rescue act.

In Hampshire 1, Ryde got back on track by beating Easton and Martyr Worthy by 82 runs in a fairly low scoring game.

Ryde reached a reasonable 209 all out, with Ben Shannon (41 not out) and Jack Summers (35) top scoring.

Isle of Wight County Press: Kerry Rice led an excellent Ryde bowling attack against Easton and Martyr Worthy at Harding Shute on Saturday.Kerry Rice led an excellent Ryde bowling attack against Easton and Martyr Worthy at Harding Shute on Saturday. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: In-form Tom Durman pitched in with with three wickets — including a couple of batsmen clean-bowled — for Ryde. In-form Tom Durman pitched in with with three wickets — including a couple of batsmen clean-bowled — for Ryde. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde skipper Ash Goldsmith fields from his own bowling.Ryde skipper Ash Goldsmith fields from his own bowling. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

But Kerry Rice (4-16), in-form Tom Durman (3-43) and Ben Gregory (2-21) did the damage to skittle Easton and Martyr Worthy out for a paltry 127 to rise to tenth in the table.

It was not such positive day for Shanklin and Godshill at Cadnam in Hampshire 3 (South).

Cadnam set a very beatable 203-8, with the bowling attack spearheaded by Ross Le Sueur (3-31) and skipper Ben White (2-36) keeping the run chase down.

However, the Islanders never got their innings going, bowled out for 162, with Ollie Niemiec and Matt Lambourne, both scoring 20, showing any resistance, as they fell to a 41-run defeat. 

In Hampshire 4 (South), unbeaten Ventnor II cemented their position at the top of the table after hammering Southampton Travellers on the road.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ben Gregory was fiery and economical for Ryde.Ben Gregory was fiery and economical for Ryde. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Tom Durman in action for Ryde.Tom Durman in action for Ryde. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde skipper Ash Goldsmith in action.Ryde skipper Ash Goldsmith in action. (Image: Dave Reynolds)

Ventnor II set a mammoth total of 336-4 from their 45 overs.

Ben Davies’s side welcomed former first team skipper Ian Hilsum to their ranks and — and he returned to action in emphatic fashion, hitting a superb 127 in his first match in several years.

There were also fine contributions from Mark Fletcher (73) and Toby Noyes (72 not out).

In response, Ventnor's bowling was too strong for Southampton, as they fell to 100 all out — Jack Powell (3-12) and Charlie Turpin (3-26) spearheading the attack in their 236-run victory.

Ryde II moved up into the top half of the table, continuing their fine recent form with a four-wicket win over Steep II.

Steep II set a difficult target of 274-8, with Tom Morgan (3-30) the pick of the Ryde bowlers.

Jordan Galsworthy (84), Simon Berendt (63) and George Griffith (44 not out) were the main run makers.

                                                 SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Southern Premier League, Division 1 — New Milton v Ventnor; Hampshire 1 — Old Basing v Ryde; Hampshire 3 (South) — Shanklin & Godshill v Locks Heath; Hampshire 4 (South) — Ryde II v Southampton Traveller; Ventnor II v Kerala (Portsmouth) II; Island League Division 1 — Freshwater v St Helens; Newport v Northwood; Ventnor III v Shanklin & Godshill II; Division 2 — Northwood II v Cowes; Ryde III v Newport II.