Thanks to Graeme for the latest reports from the Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Although the last day defeat and the dip in form during August was disappointing, the players can look back on a fine season and to finish in fourth place is a considerable achievement and underlines the progress the side has made.
Ian Hilsum’s unfancied side led the table for the first time in the club’s history earlier in the season and held second place until two weeks ago before a few below par performances saw them overtaken by Havant and Bashley.
Saturday’s finale saw the home team struggle for runs against an accurate South Wilts attack, James Hibberd finishing with 4-12. Ollie Mills with 35 and Chris Ridley (32) top scored but a total of 162 was unlikely to pose any problems for the visitors who cantered to victory, Tom Morton scoring 69 and Jack Mynott 74 not out, Jamie Miller taking 2-35.
Second team finish sixth
Ventnor’s first season in Hampshire League Division One ended in a two wicket defeat at second placed Ellingham on Saturday.
On a tricky pitch, the visitors were indebted to opener Mark Fletcher whose fine knock of 65 including nine fours and a six held the innings together after the home side made early in-roads.
When Fletcher departed at 146-5, George Hatt took charge, thumping eight fours and three sixes in a terrific innings of 72, enabling his side to reach 213 and total to bowl at.
Ventnor enjoyed immediate success after tea with Charlie and Hugh Calloway bowling impressively, taking 2-33 and 3-48 respectively to reduce Ellingham to 63-5. At 97-7, the game seemed there for the taking but the Islanders reckoned without Brett Spicer. The former Bournemouth man, batting at number seven, smashed a 66 ball 75 not out to lead his team to an unlikely win and leave the Islandersd rueing a missed opportunity to close their season on a positive note.
A sixth placed finish was probably an accurate reflection of the season overall, with a lack of bowling depth and a batting line up which didn’t fire as it might hampering chances of a promotion challenge for Mark Whyte’s side.
Third team finish on a high
A difficult season for Ventnor’s third team ended on a winning note with a tight eleven run win over Ryde Cavaliers in the Island League Division One at Steephill on Saturday.
In a high scoring encounter, Mark Price hit a superb unbeaten 144 for Ventnor, an innings which included eighteen fours and two sixes from 129 deliveries. Price’s knock enabled his side to post 273 from 45 overs, a total Cavaliers almost overhauled in a spirited response, Mike Holliday and George Niemic making fine contributions with 68 and 82 respectively before falling just short on 262-6.
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