Thanks to Graeme from Ventnor Cricket Club for this report. Ed
Hampshire and former Shanklin paceman David Griffiths turned out for Hampshire Academy on Saturday and claimed a hat-trick to lead his side to victory over Ventnor in a pre-season friendly at Newclose.
Chasing the Academy’s total of 191-9, (Mark Holmes 2-43, Jamie Miller 2-34, Ollie Mills 2-20), Ventnor were well placed at 145-4 (Jake George 44, Adam Hose 49, Miller 24) before Griffiths took centre stage, dismissing Neil Westhorpe, Hugh Calloway and Rob Snell in successive deliveries.
Ventnor were eventually dismissed for 177.
KO Cup blow for Ventnor
Ventnor produced a disappointing performance to bow out of the National Club Championship in the first round at Steephill on Sunday against Sussex side Roffey.
Batting first, two run outs hindered Ventnor’s early progress and despite Neil Westhorpe contributing 44 their total of 152 never looked enough as four wickets fell for only nine runs at the end of the innings.
The visitors cantered to victory inside 28 overs for the loss of four wickets.
New league season starts on Saturday
Ventnor’s Southern Electric Premier Division campaign gets under way on Saturday with a trip to Totton & Eling.
Skipper Ian Hilsum is confident that Travis Head will be available to make his Ventnor debut. The talented left hander from Australia, a member of his Country’s under 19 side and a regular in South Australia’s first team, is due to arrive this week to bolster the Islanders’ batting ranks.
Ventnor must do without Adam Hose, Elliot Wilson and Charlie Freeston this season. Hose has signed for Surrey Championship side Weybridge while Freeston’s coaching commitments with the Hampshire Academy rule him out. Wilson’s move to his new role at Worcestershire means namesake Adam will open the bowling.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
