Thanks to Graeme for this update from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Ventnor were defeated by 8 wickets in their latest ECB Southern Electric Premier Division clash at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Asked to bat first in bowler friendly conditions in the first of the time pennant matches, the Islanders crashed to 17-6 as Dorset’s Matt Metcalfe (5-50) and Lynton Staniford (5-40) wreaked havoc. Five players were dismissed without scoring including openers Chris Ridley and George Hatt on his Premier Division debut.
That the visitors eventually reached a total of 137 was due almost entirely to Adam Hose whose fine innings of 78 from 148 deliveries helped to repair the earlier damage. Hugh Calloway supported the young Ventnor all-rounder with 21 on his first Premier Division appearance.
Conditions had eased somewhat by the time the home side batted with only Mark Holmes and Adam Wilson enjoying any success with the ball. Nick Park hit an unbeaten 68 as his side reached their target after 40.1 overs.
Ventnor, who sit bottom of the Premier Divison after this defeat, play host to St Cross Symondians at Newclose on Saturday at 11.30am.
Second team continue great start
Ventnor’s second team maintained their fine start to the Hampshire League Division 2 campaign with a ten wicket thrashing of Hungerford at Steephill on Saturday.
Kevin Cooper, bowling at a lively pace, was the star performer for the home side, taking four of the first five wickets to fall as the Berkshire side crashed to 45-6. Ben Clarke then took over to take 4-9 before Cooper returned to polish off the tail and end with impressive figures of 6-27.
Ben Woodhouse with fine unbeaten 43 and Billy Clarke with an impressive 39 not out saw Ventnor home in emphatic style from only 13.5 overs.
Rob Snell’s side travel to Southampton Community on Saturday.
Third team lose at Shanklin
Ventnor’s third team produced a spirited display but were defeated by Shanklin’s first team in the Island Webservices Cup at Westhill on Saturday.
Jack Lyons, Marcus Toms and Arthur Halsey all took early wickets for Ventnor before Chris Lammiman (48) and Andy Whyte (49 not out) took the home side to 210-6 from their 45 overs.
Ventnor were given a solid start in response by Michael Compton (32) and Barney Tyler (20) but although Mark Price (44) Halsey (23) and skipper Ali Cotton (22) kept the scoreboard moving, the last four wickets fell for only 26 runs to leave Shanklin the winners by 38 runs.
Memorial match for Cliff Martin
One of Ventnor Cricket Club’s greatest stalwarts will be remembered on Sunday at Steephill.
A match in memory of Cliff Martin, who served the Club loyally and with distinction as both player and chairman for many seasons, died after a long illness in October last year. Sides from Ventnor and St Helens, where Cliff also played earlier in his career, will take to the field at 2pm and Wendy, his widow, would be pleased to welcome all those who knew Cliff to the game.
Proceeds from the match will be in aid of the British Lung Foundation.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
