Thanks to Graeme for this latest report from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Starting at 10am, between six and eight adult teams will be taking part while the day will also provide an opportunity for the club’s youngsters between under 11 and under 13 to get involved in their own event.
This year, Waitrose is supporting all participating clubs and the Ventnor Open Day will benefit from £100 worth of products to assist with the running of the event.
If there other Island Clubs who would like to take part in the 6 a side tournament, please contact Graeme Burnett at [email protected] or 07764 405023
Mills and Holmes lead Ventnor to fine win at Alton
Ventnor recovered from an uncertain start to post an impressive 98 run victory over Alton in Saturday’s ECB Southern Electric Premier Division at Jubilee Fields.
The win was enough to move the Islanders into third place with Mark Holmes and Ollie Mills playing decisive roles.
The visitors were put in on a damp pitch and minus Ian Hilsum, Chris Ridley and Hampshire Academy prospect Ben Duggan, hit early trouble with openers Jake George and Marc- Antony Eysele both dismissed without scoring. Tom Friend with 21 began the recovery, which Neil Westhorpe (39) built upon in a stand of 80 for the fourth wicket with Mills. At 127-4, Martin Blackman joined the former Winchester College captain and the pair added 70 before Blackman departed for 38, a knock which included six fours. Mills went on to hit a crucial 85, his top score of the season, but from 217-6 the lower order managed to add only six further runs, New Zealander Dewayne Bowden doing the late innings damage to dismiss Ventnor for 223.
The home team’s response was undone by an inspired new ball spell from skipper Holmes which effectively won the game for Ventnor. The pace man accounted for the Alton top order, taking 4-33 to leave the hosts struggling on 47-4 and although Bowden hit 38, Eysele (3-35) and Hugh Calloway (2-13) ensured there was to be no recovery to clinch an excellent win for their side.
With three games remaining, Ventnor have an opportunity to better last season’s fourth placed finish and welcome Bashley (Rydal) to Newclose on Saturday at 1pm.
Snell and Herbridge take Ventnor to the top
Ventnor’s second team are the new leaders of Hampshire League Division 1 after a comprehensive ten wicket win over Bournemouth II at Steephill.
Ben Woodhouse’s side has strung seven consecutive victories together and with three matches remaining, enter the home straight top of the pile following Ryde’s win at previous league leaders Shrewton.
With two promotion places to the Southern Electric Premier League beckoning, Ventnor have their destiny in their own hands. They travel to struggling St Cross on Saturday, then take on mid table Hook & Newnham at Steephill before visiting Ryde for an all-Island finale.
Lowly Bournemouth began promisingly on Saturday, reaching 100-2 before the introduction of Ben Herridge changed the course of the afternoon. The 15 year old off-spinning all-rounder took 4-22 from an excellent ten over spell, and with David Beven returning 2-34 the Dorset side saw their decent start evaporate to 132 all out inside 40 overs.
The home side set about their task in confident fashion with openers Rob Snell and young Herridge leading the way. Left hander Snell struck ten fours in a fluent knock of 68 while Herridge maintained his recent impressive form with 45 as the pair took their side to an untroubled victory and a maximum points haul.
Cup defeat for Ventnor
Ventnor were defeated by nine wickets in their penultimate Island Webservices Cup group match of the season at Northwood on Saturday.
Skipper Alistair Cotton with 33, Arthur Halsey (24) and Marcus Toms (27) top scored in a Ventnor total of 118, a target the home side reached inside 15 overs.
Shanklin are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday as the competitive season for Ventnor’s Island League and Cup team draws to a close.
Image: Neil Tilbrook under CC BY 2.0
