Thanks to Graeme for this latest report from Ventnor Cricket Clubs. Ed
In a nail biting climax to their Hampshire League Division 1 campaign, the Steephill club were defeated by one wicket by local rivals Ryde. Wins for Lymington II and Gosport Borough meant Ben Woodhouse’s side finished in fourth place while leaders Portchester saw their game at Purbrook cancelled because of a waterlogged outfield.
Ventnor were invited to bat first on a damp Harding Shute surface and lost Rob Snell and Ben Herridge early on to Harry Bradley and Lawrence Tolfrey respectively. George Hatt (24) and Hugh Calloway (23) helped the score past 100 but with Tolfrey finishing with 4-43 and Bradley 4-21, the visitors were dismissed for 158 with five of their 50 overs remaining, Woodhouse top scoring with 28.
Ryde were given a 57 run start by Sam Rockley (26) and Ben Wadmore and seemed set for a comfortable win as they reached 105-3 (Hugh Calloway 2-28). However, leg spinner David Beven (3-25) made middle order in-roads and at 117-7 the outcome was suddenly in the balance. The impressive Wadmore continued to nudge his side nearer their target and when he survived a caught behind appeal, the home team looked favourites again. The match took a further twist as off spinner Herridge accepted a sharp caught and bowled chance to dismiss the hosts’ left hander for a 116 ball 63 and when the 15 year old accounted for Ben Gregory the very next ball, Ryde needed two runs to win and Ventnor one wicket.
The match was finally decided in the 47th over as Stuart Robertson, who had earlier provided crucial support to Wadmore, turned Charlie Calloway into the leg side to win the match for his side in a decisive unbeaten knock of 18.
Despite missing out on promotion, Ventnor can still reflect positively on a campaign during which an often youthful second team won ten out of fourteen games and improved on last season’s sixth place finish in the top division of the Hampshire League.
Fifth place finish for Ventnor
Ventnor’s first team slipped two places in the Southern Electric Premier Division but still finished a creditable fifth after an eight wicket defeat to Burridge in the final game of the season at Newclose on Saturday.
On a pitch affected by the wet weather of previous days, the toss of the coin was likely to be a decisive factor and it was Burridge skipper Rick Ankers who called correctly and duly asked the home team to bat first.
Jake George (12), Ben Duggan (16) and Ollie Mills (200 all made starts, as did Ian Hilsum (22) and James Cheek (25) in a sixth wicket partnership of 55. At 129-9 however, the side were indebted to skipper Mark Holmes (20 not out) and Southern League debutant Alex Horton (11) for an eventual total of 163, the pair adding 34 for the tenth wicket.
The visitors took full advantage of the improved batting conditions and went on win convincingly inside 36 overs, Alex Styles (67 not out) and Jamie Rood (41) top scoring.
Despite a last day defeat, the Islanders enjoyed a good campaign, coping admirably without an overseas player and the pace bowling services of Tom Friend whose rib injury restricted him to a batting role for much of the season.
Six a side success for Ventnor
On Sunday, Ventnor won through to the final of new 6 a side competition supported by the Hampshire Cricket Board and the Southern Electric Premier and Hampshire Cricket Leagues.
The Islanders finished top of their group with victories over Langley Manor and Totton & Eling and will travel to the Ageas Bowl on Sunday 21 September to take part in Finals Day.
