Thanks to Graeme for this latest report from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Heavy rain, which had seeped under the covers, caused a delayed start and meant the toss of the coin was going to be an important factor.
It was Alton who called correctly and predictably asked Ventnor to bat first. With the ball nipping around, three wickets fell with only 30 runs on the board and although Aussie Sean Willis with a fine 57 helped the score to 105-5 at lunch, the last five wickets fell for only 20 runs to leave the home side all out for 125.
Charlie Calloway made two early breakthroughs for Ventnor, but with conditions easing Scott Myers (44) and Mike Heffernan (49 not out) saw Alton home inside 32 overs.
Mark Holmes’ team badly need a decent result and will be hoping for better fortune in Saturday’s all day fixture on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground against Hampshire Academy.
Second team suffer similar fate
Ventnor second team’s Hampshire League Division 1 encounter at Fareham & Crofton followed a similar pattern to that of the first team on Saturday.
Invited to take first use of a rain affected pitch, only Ben Woodhouse (20), brother Mark (21) and Jacobus Hooneberg (27) managed double figures as the visitors were dismissed for 102 from 38 overs.
The home team didn’t have everything their own way as George Willis (2-29) and Pat Morris (3-14) made in-roads but a fifth wicket partnership of 40 proved decisive in Fareham’s eventual four wicket win.
Ventnor entertain Ropley at Steephill on Saturday at 1pm.
Third team at Easebourne
The third team return to action at Easebourne in Hampshire League Division Four East on Saturday, looking for a sixth consecutive win to maintain their unbeaten record.
Victory in Sunday friendly
A terrific innings of 160 from Jacobus Hooneberg led Ventnor to a convincing 120 run over the Southampton based Singh XI at Steephill on Sunday.
It was the South African’s first three figure score for the club.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
