Thanks to Graeme from Ventnor Cricket Club for this report from the weekend’s activity. In his own words, Ed
Ventnor are on the brink of securing Southern Electric Premier Division safety after defeating Hampshire Academy by seven wickets at Newclose on Saturday.
The win was particularly crucial on a day when rain saw all other Premier Division matches abandoned, much to the frustration of the likes of Lymington, Alton, Bournemouth and Totton & Eling who are also embroiled in the struggle to avoid relegation.
With the weather uncertain, Ian Hilsum had no hesitation in asking the Academy to bat first on winning the toss and in the absence of Elliot Wilson, namesake Adam made the most of his new ball opportunity, producing a fine spell to dismiss Ollie Green and James Halson with only 23 runs on the board. The impressive Adam Hose, Mark Holmes and Jamie Miller made further in-roads and at 115-8, the visitors, still not safe from relegation themselves, were in disarray. However, a ninth wicket partnership of 49 between Matt King (34 not out) and Miles Covers (19 not out) pushed the score to 164-8 from 50 overs and gave the Academy youngsters something to bowl at.
The Ventnor reply suffered an early setback with Jake George dismissed for nine, but Ollie Mills (23) and Adam Hose led a positive response before heavy rain forced the players from the field at 85-3 after 23 overs.
A tense delay followed with the home team ahead on run rate but knowing a result could only be achieved if they had batted for at least 25 overs. After a stoppage of 100 minutes and the loss of 19 overs, play finally resumed at 7.50pm in failing light with Ventnor given an adjusted target of 102 from 31 overs.
Young Hose, fresh from his Lord’s Test twelfth man duties and with the experienced Neil Westhorpe for company, led his side to a vital victory with five overs remaining, the Ventnor all-rounder cracking six fours in a match winning 43 not out.
The Islanders, who have climbed to fifth place in the table, need just four points from their final match at Totton & Eling on Saturday to guarantee Premier Division survival and cap a fine late season recovery.
Second team thwarted by the rain
Hampshire League Division 2 Champions Ventnor were frustrated by the weather in their final match of a successful season at New Milton II on Saturday.
The home side had reached 199-5 from 39 overs (Adam Garnett 83 not out), before rain prevented any further play. Kevin Cooper, Charlie Calloway, skipper Rob Snell and Hugh Calloway were among the wickets for the visitors.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
