UNBEATEN Shanklin and Godshill remain top of Division 3 (South) of the Hampshire League after a nervy two-wicket victory over the Bedhampton Mariners at Westhill on Saturday.
Bedhampton looked set for a score in excess of 200, but were bowled out for 178, with Nathan Moore (3-38) and Harry Moore (2-18) the pick of the attack, with Shanklin fielding well and wicketkeeper Sean Phillips taking two catches and a stumping.
Shanklin's run chase saw them lose wickets at regular intervals, but Harry Collier defied the Mariners' bowlers with an excellent knock of 86 from 107 balls.
In a tense finish, Shanklin's tail-enders were able to steer the Islanders to victory by two wickets.
Shanklin, unbeaten so far this season, remain top of the table.
Ventnor II, promoted last season, sit fourth following their 39-run defeat against Locks Heath, at Steephill.
After bowling Locks Heath out for 244, with Ben Attrill (4-43) and Jake Toulson (3-23) doing the damage, Ventnor were bowled out for 205, with Martin Blackman top scoring with 47.
In Division 1 of the Southern Premier League, Ventnor were beaten by eight wickets at Portsmouth and sit in fifth place.
Sam Guerin scored 40 and Dan Cox 44 in their 208-6.
In Division 1 of the Hampshire League, Ryde notched up their first win of the season after beating high-flying Ferndown Wayferers by eight wickets.
After skittling Ferndown for 110, with Ben Gregory and Tom Durman claiming four wickets apiece, Ryde knocked off the runs comfortably, with Durman hitting 59 not out.
Meanwhile, Ryde II lost by ten runs at Burridge III in Division 4 (South). Andy Day claimed 3-41 and Mark Oatley hit 86.
In Division 2 of the Island League, Northwood II beat a youthful Ventnor IV by 38 runs.
For Northwood, Jeff Barrett hit 54 and Steve Lewis took 3-14. Ventnor's Aston Langdon took 3-12.
In the Isle of Wight Senior Cup, two ties finished very early.
At Newclose, Newport beat Freshwater by ten wickets after bowling them out for just 69. Harry Dye (4-9), Aaron Hartup (3-3) and Ash Brett (2-110 did all the damage. Harry Dye (52 not out) knocked off the runs required.
Northwood beat Shanklin and Godshill II (47 all out) by nine wickets. A. Wilcox (3-9), Simon Goldsmith (3-13) and N.Goldsmith (2-8) proved a potent attack.
St Helens beat Ventnor III by 54 runs at The Green, with A.Deans (63) top scoring for the home side. Rafe Hawkins (3-18) and Harry Ridley (3-42) were the pick of the Ventnor bowlers.
Mark Price hit 41 for Ventnor (149 all out) in reply, with Rob Holdcroft (3-22) and M.Harris (2-9) bowling well for St Helens.
In the Fred Winter Cup, Newport II beat Shanklin III by eight wickets.
On Sunday, Ventnor bowed out of the Voneus Village Cup after a five-wicket defeat in the regional final at Hambledon.
SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Southern Premier Cricket League, Division 1: Ventnor v Sarisbury Athletic; Hampshire League, Division 1: Shrewton v Ryde; Division 3 (South): Locks Heath v Shanklin & Godshill; Mudeford v Ventnor II; Division 4 (South): Ryde II v Trojans II; Island League, Division 1: Freshwater v Northwood; Shanklin & Godshill v St Helens; Ventnor III v Newport; Division 2: Newport II v Ventnor IV; Northwood II v Shanklin III.
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