Joe Vaughan's 104* was OTs match winner : Martyn White pictures.
Joe Vaughan's application and determination came to the fore as the Old Tauntonians & Romsey opener carried his bat for an unbeaten century which laid the foundation for a thumping 165-run victory over Southern Premier Division 1 strugglers Waterlooville.
Vaughan batted the entire 50 overs on an improving Rowlands Avenue surface, bringing up a hard earned hundred just before tea. His third SPL century contained only five fours and a six, but his three-hour vigil at the crease was perfect for OTs to build 245-4 around.
Vaughan shared an important 89-run stand with in-form Harry Tulk (57) before Tom Cowley and Rob Newman chipped in with some useful late runs.
Ironically, Vaughan wasn't the only opening batsman to carry his bat - Ville's Archie Reynolds did likewise, though in entirely different circumstances.
Reynolds, who made exactly 50 not out, saw wickets fall all around him - the first five for only 27 runs as, initially, Hakim Peruzi (5-15) then OTs spinners ran amok.
Five batsmen bagged ducks as the Ville, who beat OTs to the SPL2 title in 2023, collapsed to 80 all out.
Vaughan batted the entire 50 overs on an improving Rowlands Avenue surface, bringing up a hard earned hundred just before tea. His third SPL century contained only five fours and a six, but his three-hour vigil at the crease was perfect for OTs to build 245-4 around.
Vaughan shared an important 89-run stand with in-form Harry Tulk (57) before Tom Cowley and Rob Newman chipped in with some useful late runs.
Ironically, Vaughan wasn't the only opening batsman to carry his bat - Ville's Archie Reynolds did likewise, though in entirely different circumstances.
Reynolds, who made exactly 50 not out, saw wickets fall all around him - the first five for only 27 runs as, initially, Hakim Peruzi (5-15) then OTs spinners ran amok.
Five batsmen bagged ducks as the Ville, who beat OTs to the SPL2 title in 2023, collapsed to 80 all out.
 Archie Reynolds battling 50* |  hakim Peruzi |
Dinesh Thimodya 120 for Ventnor [Dave Reynolds]
Sri Lankan Dinesh Thimodya hit 120 to underpin Ventnor's powerful 268-8 against Andover, who were dismissed for 125 at Steephill, George Watts celebrating a maiden island five-wicket return.
The little left-handerlost two early partners - both to Aiden Jansen (2-59) - before taking charge with 16 fours and two sixes, Dan Cox (46) partnering him in a 164-run stand before Henry Bartlett (38*) and teen Sam Mills (25) tucked in before tea.
Mike Adams took 3-35 for Andover, who crashed to 53-7 against Watts, the former New Milton all-rounder returning 5-26 before John Nyumbu (41) gave the Lions reply some shape. Cox weighed in with 4-29.
The little left-handerlost two early partners - both to Aiden Jansen (2-59) - before taking charge with 16 fours and two sixes, Dan Cox (46) partnering him in a 164-run stand before Henry Bartlett (38*) and teen Sam Mills (25) tucked in before tea.
Mike Adams took 3-35 for Andover, who crashed to 53-7 against Watts, the former New Milton all-rounder returning 5-26 before John Nyumbu (41) gave the Lions reply some shape. Cox weighed in with 4-29.
George Watts maiden five-wicket haul for Ventnor [Dave Reynolds]
Rowledge found themselves in a whole heap of trouble at 57-5, principally against the pace and movement off the seam by Josh Metcalfe (3-16), after being put into bat by Calmore Sports at Loperwood Park.
But home grown 18-year old Loughborogh University biology student Oli Ryman [left] dug in and fought his way through a torrid spell to bring some calm to the occasion. Partnered by Aussie spin all-rounder Justin Felsch (33), Ryman and Rowledge began to turn the corner.
He went on to hit six maximums and four boundaries in an undefeated 97, an innings which his captain (and last wicket partner in a valuable 38-run stand) Ben Wish described "a master class in guts, technique and brutal aggression to turn the game around."
Liam Carty finished with 4-21 as Rowledge recovered to reach 182-9 and then reduce Calmore to 36-4, Ben Johns (21) crucially nicking behind.
Max Bailey (21) and Brad Jewer rallied, but spin pair Felsch (3-29) and Ollie Baker (3-41) created inroads to leave Calmore 94-8 before Mark Lavelle hit a late 30 and lift the final score to 143.
But home grown 18-year old Loughborogh University biology student Oli Ryman [left] dug in and fought his way through a torrid spell to bring some calm to the occasion. Partnered by Aussie spin all-rounder Justin Felsch (33), Ryman and Rowledge began to turn the corner.
He went on to hit six maximums and four boundaries in an undefeated 97, an innings which his captain (and last wicket partner in a valuable 38-run stand) Ben Wish described "a master class in guts, technique and brutal aggression to turn the game around."
Liam Carty finished with 4-21 as Rowledge recovered to reach 182-9 and then reduce Calmore to 36-4, Ben Johns (21) crucially nicking behind.
Max Bailey (21) and Brad Jewer rallied, but spin pair Felsch (3-29) and Ollie Baker (3-41) created inroads to leave Calmore 94-8 before Mark Lavelle hit a late 30 and lift the final score to 143.
