Thanks to Graeme for this report from the weekend’s matches. In his own words. Ed
A 34 run defeat in Saturday’s final match of the season at Hook & Newnham Basics on Saturday did nothing to detract from a tremendously successful campaign for Ventnor in the Southern Electric Premier League.
Crowned Division 2 Champions two weeks previously, a record of sixteen games played with fourteen wins and just two defeats speaks for itself as Ian Hilsum’s side prepare for another crack at life in the ECB Premier Division.
Rain affected play
Heavy rain reduced the match at Hook to a 40 overs a side affair with the home side invited to bat first. Ben Thane top scored with 42 in his side’s total of 185-7, Adam Hose (3-40) and Henry Bartlett among the wickets for Ventnor who were defending a season-long unbeaten away record.
The Islanders’ response was held together by Cole McConchie whose fine knock of 77 included eight fours and a six. With nine Ventnor batsmen failing to reach double figures, only tail ender Charlie Freeston lent the Kiwi any real support with 20 as Glen Williams (3-40) helped dismiss the Champions for 151. McConchie’s 80 ball innings took his tally of Southern League runs for the season to 718, a tremendous effort by the popular 19 year old who may well return next summer.
Last Day Win Not Enough For Ventnor
A 49 run win over Mudeford, their eleventh victory of the season, was not enough to secure a promotion spot for Ventnor’s second team in their final Hampshire League Division 2 fixture of the season.
Results elsewhere meant that the maximum 24 point haul from the match proved academic, a fourth placed finish leaving Mark Woodhouse’s side cursing the five defeats which denied them a top three place and with it promotion to Division 1.
The outstanding performer as Ventnor batted first was Martin Blackman who cracked eight fours and four sixes in a splendid innings of 106, and with James Cheek hammering a terrific 66 not out, the home side amassed 267-4 from 45 overs.
The visitors replied spiritedly, but although Walker hit a fine 94 and Patel 54, effective spells from Rob Snell (4-38) and Cheek (3-53) helped dismiss the Dorset side for 218.
Fine Ton For Cotton Boosts Third Team
Two victories over the weekend have moved Ventnor’s third team into second place ahead of Saturday’s final match of the season against Division 2 league leaders Godshill. The village side still have a healthy points advantage at the top however, and it would need a comprehensive victory by Ventnor to deny them the title.
At Northwood II on Saturday, Jack Lyons (3-16) and Ross Whyte (2-34) restricted the home side to 142-9 (Mark Tuckwell 34) before a partnership of 42 for the sixth wicket between Simon Homes (38 not out) and Alistair Cotton (23 not out) won the match for Ventnor.
At Steephill the following day, a superb innings of 101 not out from Joe Cotton led Ventnor to an eight wicket win over Freshwater. The Ventnor youngster cracked 14 fours and a six from only 72 deliveries in reply to the visitors 126-5 from a rain reduced 33 overs.
Image: Wallula Junction under CC BY 2.0
