Thanks to Graeme for this report from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Ian Hilsum opted to bat first on winning the toss and openers Ollie Mills and Jake George each struck a boundary for the League leaders before heavy rain forced the players from the field at eight without loss after just 2.4 overs. No further play was possible, giving reigning champions South Wilts the opportunity to move into second place and trim Ventnor’s lead at the top with a maximum points haul win over Hampshire Academy.
The Islanders bid to continue their excellent run of form with the visit of Bobby Parks’ Hampshire Academy side to Newclose on Saturday. The match starts at 11.30.
Team from: Hilsum, captain, H Calloway, Westhorpe, Wilson, Holmes, Miller, Ridley, Mills, George, Cheek, Head, Snell.
Hatt and Woodhouse lead the way in comprehensive win
Ventnor’s second team took on St Cross Symondians III on Saturday and ran out convincing nine wicket winners in their Hampshire League Division 1 fixture at Steephill.
After the disappointment of losing at Midhurst the previous week after scoring almost 300, Mark Whyte’s side produced an efficient performance against their Winchester visitors to move into sixth place in the table.
Batting first, St Cross lost early wickets to paceman Charlie Calloway and off spinner Josh Franklin before a partnership of 122 between Ranjan (66) and Lockwood (70) lifted the score past 170. With the mainlanders looking set to post a challenging total, it was the introduction of Toby Corbin to the attack which turned the match in Ventnor’s favour. The 16 year old seamer took 4-39 on his Ventnor debut in an excellent nine over spell which triggered a collapse from 175-5, the last five wickets falling for the addition of only 28 runs.
Chasing a target of 204, openers George Hatt and Ben Woodhouse impressed with their running between the wickets from the outset, playing themselves in before going on to dominate the St Cross attack in a splendid partnership of 182. Left hander Hatt struck 12 fours and 2 sixes in a fine innings of 90 while Woodhouse went on to hit a season’s best 83 not out with 11 boundaries. He and Billy Clarke (8 not out) saw their side to a welcome victory inside 33 overs.
The side travel to third placed Alton II on Saturday.
Team from: M Whyte, captain, A Whyte, Tyler, Corbin, Fletcher, Hatt, Woodhouse, Clarke, Blackman, Franklin, C Calloway, Groves.
Island League resumes on Saturday
With no matches over the Festival weekend, the Island league resumes for Ventnor’s third team on Saturday. Shanklin are the visitors to Steephill at 1.30.
Colts in convincing cup win
Ventnor defeated Shanklin by 118 runs in Monday’s under 15 cup game at Steephill.
Jaden Buckeridge (32) Marcus Horton (50) and Ben Herridge (48 not out) impressed in Ventnor’s total of 179-3 with the visitors managing only 61 in reply.
Ventnor bid for T20 semi final place
Ventnor take on New Milton at Fernhill on Sunday in the quarter final of the Southern Electric T20 Cup.
The home side, currently mid table in Division 1, defeated local rivals Bashley in the previous round and will be awkward opponents in their own backyard.
Memorial match for Maurice Lickens
Putney are the visitors to Steephill on Sunday in the annual fixture for the Maurice Lickens Memorial Cup. Maurice, who served both clubs for many years, died in 2006. The match starts at 1pm and will be attended by Maurice’s widow Barbara and members of the family.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
