VENTNOR CLINCH LAST GASP WIN THANKS TO PONGOLO
Ventnor overcame Hook & Newnham Basics in a dramatic last over finish in a Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 clash at Steephill on Saturday.
The hosts looked to be heading for defeat after slipping to 151-7 in pursuit of the north Hampshire team’s total of 203, but a splendid unbeaten knock of 83 from Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo won the match for his side.
Even with their young South African in such inspired form, the odds seemed stacked against the Champions with 30 runs required from the remaining three overs with just two wickets in hand, but having survived a drop catch on 61, Pongolo hit four boundaries and a six in an exciting finale to clinch a second successive League victory.
Although the talented lad from the Langa Township was the match winner, Joby Wells’ patient innings of 28 played an important part in the win. Keeping the score moving with some excellent running with Pongolo, their partnership of 62 helped repair the innings after Ian Hilsum had departed for 25 and Neil Westhorpe for 12.
Earlier in the day, Charlie Freeston (3-33) Mark Allen on his Southern League debut (3-43) and David Beven (2-41) had helped restrict Hook to 203, the last six wickets falling for only 50 runs.
SECOND TEAM START WITH A VICTORY
The second team, captained by Robert Snell, hammered Paultons II by nine wickets in their opening match in Hampshire League Division 4 on Saturday.
Adam Wilson, with 3-6 from an excellent eight over spell made early in-roads for Ventnor, who continued the good work to dismiss the home team for 130, teenager James Cheek taking 4-41 and Snell 2-17.
The Islanders made short work of the target with 16 year old Cheek having a day to remember with a fine, unbeaten 79 to lead his side to victory.
A CENTURY FOR WHITE IN THIRD TEAM WIN
A terrific innings of 110 not out from Andy White and 70 from Mark Price saw Ventnor’s third team post an enormous total of 272-3 against Shanklin II at Newclose in the Harwood’s League on Saturday.
Shanklin were never able to threaten such a total and closed on 154-9, Andy White taking three wickets for Ventnor.
SHANKLIN DEFEATED IN ROY TILLER MEMORIAL TROPHY MATCH
Ventnor successfully chased a Shanklin target of 209 to win the Roy Tiller Memorial Trophy at Westhill on Sunday.
James Lucy (68) and Andy White (44) top scored for the home team but their efforts were in vain as Joby Wells with a fine 83 and David Beven (45no) and Nono Pongolo (38) won the match for Ventnor.
DATE CHANGE FOR NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Ventnor’s second round tie at Havant will now take place on Sunday 24 May.
Image: elsie esq
