Many thanks to Graeme for this report from Ventnor Cricket Club. In his own words. Ed
Ventnor’s recent fine run, which had taken them to the top of the table, came to an end on Saturday when the Hampshire Academy inflicted a three wicket defeat in the ECB Southern Electric Division contest at Newclose.
On a blustery and overcast day, Ventnor were asked to bat first and were given a 78 run start by Ollie Mills and Jake George before the former departed for 43. At lunch, the home side were well placed on 141-2 from 36 overs but the dismissal of George for a splendid 85 early in the afternoon session saw the Hampshire youngsters gain the initiative. From 175-4, the Islanders lost their remaining six wickets for only 63 runs with off spinner Brad Taylor impressing in a marathon 25 over stint which brought him 4-90.
With 57 overs to score 239, Wilf Marriott gave his side a terrific start with a fluent 51 before Travis Head took a sharp slip catch off Jamie Miller to break an opening partnership of 69 with Joe Weatherley.
The talented Weatherley, a 16 year old England Development Programme prospect, survived two dropped catches to underpin the visitors response after tea, his responsible 145 ball stay ending when Head (4-66) trapped him leg before one short of what would been a thoroughly deserved hundred. At 210-6 with the overs ticking away, the spirited Ventnor side sensed all was not lost but in a tight finish, skipper Michael Porter saw his team home with just one ball and three wickets remaining.
The defeat saw Ventnor knocked off the top of the table by reigning champions South Wilts, who host Ian Hilsum’s side in a first versus second clash on Saturday.
Second team rained off
Heavy overnight rain prevented any play in Ventnor second team’s match at Alton II.
Mark Whyte’s fifth placed side take on Rowledge II in Hampshire League Division 1 at Steephill on Saturday at 1pm.
T20 knock-out blow for Ventnor
Ventnor bowed out of the Southern Electric T20 Cup on Sunday when New Milton beat them by four wickets in a quarter final tie at Fernhill.
The visitors lost Travis Head and Jake George with only 13 runs on the board, giving Ollie Mills and Neil Westhorpe the task of rebuilding the innings. The pair added 69 for the third wicket but when left hander Westhorpe fell for 21 and teenager Mills (48) departed eight runs later, only five overs remained for James Cheek (29 not out) and Ian Hilsum (6 not out) to post a modest looking 126-4 from their 20 overs.
New Milton responded with opener Toby Edwards hitting a rapid 36 and at 98-2 (James Park 36) were seemingly coasting to victory. The Islanders fought back however, with Head, Charlie Calloway and Jamie Miller making in-roads and in an exciting climax, it took a single off the last ball to clinch victory for the New Forest side.
First win for third team
Ventnor’s third team gained their first win of the season on Saturday when they convincingly beat Shanklin’s first eleven by eight wickets in the Island League Division 1 at Steephill.
Paceman Kevin Cooper made two early breakthroughs for Ventnor before James Lucy hit seven fours and two sixes in an impressive 52 and Matt Lambourne 27 as the visitors totalled 194-9 from their 45 overs. Alex Horton was also amongst the wickets for the hosts with 2-29.
The home side’s response was led by Mark Price, whose fine unbeaten knock of 82 included eight fours and two sixes. With Martin Blackman supporting with 50 not out, Ventnor’s welcome win was achieved with four overs remaining.
Memorial trophy win for Ventnor
With Putney unable to fulfil the fixture, Shanklin provided the opposition in Sunday’s fixture in memory of former Ventnor President and Shanklin member Maurice Lickens.
Barney Tyler’s two wicket blast saw the visitors slip to 5-2 and they never recovered, Josh Franklin (3-12) Marcus Toms (2-18) doing the other damage as Shanklin were dismissed for 101.
The home team took only 14 overs to reach their target with newcomer Marc-Antony Eysele outstanding. The Master of Cricket at Ryde School thumped an unbeaten 72 for his new club and his proven ability as a ECB Premier Division player (he scored 450 runs for Totton & Eling last season, including 52 against Ventnor!), will make him a quality addition to the Steephill club’s ranks.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
