Thanks to Graeme for this report from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Skipper Ian Hilsum invited the home side to bat first on winning the toss and saw Mark Holmes dismiss key batsman David Taylor with 64 on the board. Adam Wilson’s fine ten over spell of 3-23 checked the hosts progress but with opener Darron Augustus batting throughout the innings for an undefeated 80, the Eels closed on a challenging 251-7 from their 50 overs.
A splendid century partnership for the second wicket between Ollie Mills (58) and Chris Ridley (39) gave the Islanders an ideal base from which to launch a bid for victory, but when Hilsum and Ben Woodhouse departed cheaply, much depended on Neil Westhorpe and Jamie Miller when the left hander and leg spinning all-rounder came together at 156-5.
The pair kept the scoreboard ticking over, but with 66 runs required from the final eight overs the task looked a tough one. Westhorpe’s run a ball 39 was vital contribution but it was Miller’s late innings acceleration which proved to be the match winning knock, the 21 year old crashing an unbeaten 60 from only 42 deliveries with ten fours to clinch a 20 point victory with just one ball remaining.
St Cross Symondians are the visitors to Newclose on Saturday at 1pm. South Australia batsman Travis Head is set to make his Ventnor debut.
Blackman and Tyler lead Ventnor to victory
Two players back in action after long term injury played key roles in Ventnor second team’s eight wicket defeat of Hampshire League Division 1 rivals Ryde in Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Steephill.
Harry Collier and Nick Drysdale top scored for Ryde with 43 and 31 respectively but the visitors were hit by an impressive five wicket haul from Ventnor’s opening bowler Barney Tyler, making his return following two years out with a back problem which required surgery.
Chasing a target of 170, it was Martin Blackman who won the match for his side. The right hander, who missed the 2012 season following a shoulder operation, thumped ten fours and 2 sixes in an unbeaten 68 and with George Hatt (26) Billy Clarke (33) and newcomer Steve Benson (26 not out) lending support, the home side won with 15 overs remaining .
Ventnor, captained by Mark Whyte, make their Hampshire League Division 1 debut at Easton & Martyr Worthy on Saturday.
Runs aplenty at Steephill
Ventnor defeated Kent tourists Jolly Roger by two wickets at Steephill on Sunday. Set to score 250, Mark Price with 54, James Cheek 51, Martin Blackman 56 not out and Neil Westhorpe 27 not out, saw their side home.
On Monday, Ventnor ran out winners by 100 runs against New Forest side Sway at Steephill. A fine innings of 110 from Hugh Calloway led the home team to 282-5 with Martin Blackman continuing his excellent form with 73 not out. Batting at three, fourteen year old Ben Herridge caught the eye with 48. Tom Groves took 2-11 as the visitors replied with 182.
Ventnor’s third team begin their Island League season with a home game with Northwood this Saturday.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
