Thanks to Graeme for sending through the latest report from the Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Ventnor’s unbeaten start to their Southern Electric Premier League campaign ended with a disappointing defeat against Paultons at Newclose on Saturday.
Ian Hilsum elected to bat on winning the toss and it was teenage pair Adam Hose and Henry Bartlett who got the home team off to a decent start, compiling 43 before the latter fell for 21.
The innings then hit the buffers as last week’s hero Cole McConchie was dismissed without scoring, quickly followed by skipper Hilsum and Roger Miller. At 101-5 after Hose had departed for a patient 44, a significant partnership was required to set the visitors a challenging target.
Cue Neil Westhorpe and Mark Fletcher who rescued their side with a sixth wicket stand of 88 before right hander Fletcher fell one short of an impressive half century. Left hander Westhorpe went on to make a fine, unbeaten 71 as his side closed on 222-7 from their 50 overs.
Paultons’ reply was led by Stuart Magee who held the innings together as Charlie Freeston (2-35) and Roger Miller, Henry Bartlett and David Beven made significant in-roads at the other end. Then, at 151-7 after Hilsum had dismissed Magee for a fine 79, the home team seemed set for a fourth consecutive victory.
The visitors had other ideas, however as Robinson (37 not out) and Dawes (23 not out) added 72 for the eighth wicket to win the match for their side with four balls remaining.
Ventnor travel to Rowledge on Saturday.
MAN OF THE MATCH CHEEK GETS VENTNOR BACK ON TRACK
A fine all round performance from James Cheek won a high scoring match for Ventnor’s second team at Rowledge II in Saturday’s Hampshire League Division 2 clash.
Batting at five, the talented teenager cracked a splendid 70 as
his side posted a formidable total of 269-8 from their 45 overs.
Earlier in the afternoon, Adam Wilson hit eight fours in a entertaining 51 while Martin Blackman’s fine 55 pushed the score past the 200 mark.
The home side looked in serious contention as they chased down the target in ominous fashion. A fine opening partnership of 166 between Mitchell (98) and Brinsden (65) was finally broken by the leg spin of Cheek who then produced a match winning spell for Ventnor, taking the next five wickets to finish with 6-47 as the north Hampshire team finished 30 runs short.
East Tytherley are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday.
PRICE HEROICS NOT ENOUGH
An extraordinary innings from Mark Price very nearly capped an amazing Ventnor III fightback in Saturday’s Harwood’s League match at Park Road.
Chasing a Northwood total of 205-7 (Mark Tuckwell 61), the visitors crashed to 27-7 and a seemingly heavy defeat before Price took charge. With determined support from youngsters Marcus Kingman, Tom Groves and 12 year old Ross Whyte, the Ventnor skipper hammered a magnificent 138 before falling in the final over just two runs short of a famous victory.
‘FRIENDLY’ WIN FOR VENTNOR OVER NORTHWOOD
16 year old Billy Clarke hit a marvellous career best, unbeaten 148
and Cole McConchie an impressive, undefeated 100 as Ventnor rattled up 307-1 against Northwood at Steephill on Sunday.
Gavin Paddock hit 50 for the visitors who eventually lost by 99 runs, closing on 208-8, Henry Bartlett taking 2-24.
VENTNOR PREPARE FOR CCC CLASH
Ventnor welcome Surrey Championship side Malden Wanderers to Steephill on Sunday for a second round tie in the Club Cricket Conference Cup. The match starts at 1pm.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
