Thanks to Graeme for this latest report from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Aussie visitors set for Steephill
This Friday, Ventnor host the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust XI from Australia.
The side are on the Island for the day as part of their UK Tour and paying their first ever visit to Steephill. The match starts at 1pm.
Champions inflict heavy defeat on Ventnor
Reigning Southern Electric Premier Division champions South Wilts defeated Ventnor by 100 runs in Saturday’s clash at Bemerton.
Batting first, the league leaders were given a 115 run start by openers Tom Morton and Eddie Abel before Rob Snell made a double breakthrough. The home team were further pegged back by Hugh Calloway, Ross Whyte and Adam Wilson but from 168-5 eventually rallied to 272 all out.
Henry Bartlett (56) hit his first Premier Division half century for Ventnor but the Islanders were unable to put together a partnership to threaten an upset and were dismissed after 41.2 overs for a disappointing 172.
Ventnor will be looking for a victory over fellow strugglers Sarisbury Athletic in Saturday’s crucial encounter at Newlose at 11.30am. David Banks’ side are currently eighteen points better off than the Islanders who need to close the gap at the bottom of the table with six games remaining. Skipper Mark Holmes expects to have Marc-Antony Eysele and Jake George available for selection after missing the South Wilts defeat.
Blackman hits fine hundred in successful run chase
A fine, unbeaten innings of 124 not out from Martin Blackman led Ventnor’s second team to a much needed victory over winless Hayling Island at Steephill in Hampshire League Division 1 on Saturday.
Blackman’s knock included 20 fours and in a partnership of 144 for the fifth wicket with Charlie Calloway who struck seven boundaries and four sixes in a splendid innings of 84 from only 70 deliveries, proved crucial in clinching a four wicket success. Their contribution turned the match in Ventnor’s favour after the visitors had reduced Ben Woodhouse’s team to 86-4.
Earlier in the day, the Hayling openers had made hay on yet another excellent pitch, Lever (114) and Hallett (92) impressing in a partnership of 221. With a total in excess of 300 beckoning, the introduction of Marcus Horton changed the course of the innings. Ventnor’s young off spinner, in his first league game of the season, returned terrific figures of 7-38 from a decisive ten over stint to restrict the visitors to 278-8 from their 50 overs.
The side travel to Sarisbury Athletic on Saturday.
Third team maintain second place
Ventnor’s third team produced an efficient display to defeat their Hayling Island counterparts by 75 runs in Hampshire League Division 4 South East on Saturday.
Invited to bat first, Morgan Perrin (37) and Tom Stafford (47) gave Ventnor side a decent start before Chris Hibberd with an unbeaten 43 and Nathan Sprengel (21) pushed the score to 208 all out from their 42 overs.
In reply, the home side were well placed on 83-2 but after David Beven (4-16) made in-roads, the innings subsided to 133 all out, Hibberd capping a fine all-round performance with 3-20 and Dan Cox 2-3.
Portchester III provide the opposition for Ventnor at Steephill on Saturday at 2pm.
