Thanks to Graeme for this report from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Ventnor continued their encouraging start to the season with an excellent victory over old adversaries Lymington in Saturday’s ECB Southern Electric Premier Division clash at the Sports Ground.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Ian Hilsum’s side edged home by just one wicket in a thrilling finish. With the last wicket pair of Rob Snell and Mark Holmes together, ten runs were still required from the final over but against the odds, the Islanders clinched a memorable win when Holmes hammered Simon Beetham’s penultimate delivery through the covers the boundary.
There seemed little hint of drama to come after James Cheek had struck a fine 42 at the top of the order and even when Chris Ridley’s invaluable and disciplined innings ended at 57, the visitors still looked likely winners. From 148-5, Lymington spinner Darren Cowley triggered a collapse as four wickets fell for fourteen runs before Snell and Holmes rescued the day.
Earlier in the afternoon, Ventnor had performed impressively in the field with Adam Wilson (2-18) producing an inspired opening spell to dismiss Glyn Treagus and Australian Scott Henry cheaply. Ollie Mills (2-22), Rob Snell (1-28) and Hugh Calloway (2-30) continued the good work and although Matt Metcalfe (48 not out) and Cameron Grierson (58) recovered the innings from 68-5, a sharp fielding display supported the bowlers as Lymington were restricted to 175-7.
This latest success makes it two wins from the opening three games for Ventnor who sit in fourth place in the early season table. League leaders Bashley visit Newclose on Saturday.
Winning start for second team in Hampshire League
After the previous weekend’s wash out at Easton & Martyr Worthy, Ventnor’s second team began their Hampshire League Division One campaign with a confident seven wicket win over Purbrook at Steephill.
Skipper Mark Whyte invited the visitors to bat on winning the toss and although Charlie Calloway made an early breakthrough, Purbrook were well placed on 90-1 before Ventnor took charge. Already hampered by the loss of Sean Figgins, taken to hospital after being struck by a Calloway bouncer, the side from Portsdown Hill crashed to 136 all out, Barney Tyler taking 2-22, Tom Groves 2-37 and Calloway 2-14.
The Steephill side were given a brisk start in reply by openers George Hatt (24) and Ben Woodhouse (33) and when they departed, Billy Clarke (16), Martin Blackman (28 not out) and Mark Fletcher (14 not out) completed the formalities with 22 overs remaining.
Ventnor travel to Portchester on Saturday.
Ventnor’s third team defeated
A high scoring game at Newclose saw the Isle of Wight Colts XI defeat Ventnor by seven wickets in the Island League on Saturday.
Fourteen year old Ben Herridge was outstanding for Ventnor, showing a maturity beyond his years in a splendid innings of 110 not out, a knock which included sixteen boundaries from only 98 deliveries. The youngster was well supported by the experienced Mark Price who also hit a ton, his innings of 111 coming from 115 balls with 15 fours as Alistair Cotton’s team totalled 271-2 from 45 overs.
Young Toby Corbin won the match for the Colts side with a superb innings of 141 not out, hitting 17 fours as the target of 272 was reached with four overs remaining, Steve Benson scoring 48.
T20 starts on Sunday
Ventnor take on Liphook & Ripsley on Sunday in the first round of the Southern Electric Twenty20 Cup at Steephill. The match starts at 3pm.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
