Graeme shares the latest news from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
The Club are delighted to announce that Red Funnel will again sponsor the Club this year.
It is the fourteenth consecutive summer that the Club has enjoyed the benefit of the ferry company’s generous sponsorship which is so important in sustaining travel commitments each week throughout the season. The long running partnership is much appreciated by the Club.
Friendlies completed
Ventnor finally got their pre-season underway with a match against Hampshire Academy at Steephill on Saturday. Felix Organ with a fine knock of 105 and ex Ventnor opener Ben Duggan with 63 helped the visitors to a formidable 320-4 (Dan Cox 2-32) with Ventnor replying with 205-9, Ben Woodhouse making 60.
On Sunday at Steephill, Ventnor defeated Ryde by 5 wickets. Set to score 224 (Ben Wadmore 60), newcomer Alex Glendenning hit 85 in a successful run chase.
League season underway for this Saturday
Ventnor’s first team begin their Premier Division campaign with a tough looking 50 overs a side encounter against champions South Wilts at Newclose in the newly sponsored British Gas Southern Premier Cricket League.
Ventnor, who will again be captained by Mark Holmes, include talented Australian all-rounder Alex Glendenning in their line up. The 22 year old left arm paceman from New South Wales plays First Grade cricket for Sydney and replaces Sean Willis as the club’s overseas player. James Cheek’s broken arm may keep him side-lined for a couple of months. The match starts at 1pm.
Away clash in League Division 1
The second team get under way in Hampshire League Division 1 with an away clash against Portsmouth & Southsea’s first eleven.
Martin Blackman takes over the captaincy duties from Ben Woodhouse and will oversee a youthful looking side. The skipper will be delighted to have the qualities of Pierre Kriel to call upon, the hard hitting left hander from Hermanus near Cape Town returning to Ventnor after a successful season in 2014.
Home game for third eleven
Ventnor’s third eleven will be looking to build on last year’s promotion success as they embark on their Hampshire League Regional Division 3 South campaign with a home game at Steephill against Sarisbury Athletic IV.
Tom Stafford will skipper the side for the first time and will look to old hands like Mark Price and Alistair Cotton for support and backing. The game starts at 2pm.
Premier Division rivals Burridge are the visitors to Steephill on Sunday in the second round of the Royal London Club Championship. The 45 overs a side game starts at 1pm.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
