Ventnor’s bid to regain their ECB Premier Division status started positively with a four wicket win in Saturday’s Southern Electric Division 2 encounter at Hambledon.
The newly promoted hosts were to rue their decision to bat first as Roger Miller and Charlie Freeston took full advantage of the bowler friendly conditions to reduce the Ridge Meadow side to 72-7. Miller’s terrific new ball spell saw him return excellent figures of 5-17 from a ten over stint while fellow opener Freeston chipped in with 2-37.
Antipodean’s step in
Aussie recruit Dave Williams led a partial recovery with 36 before Kiwi Cole McConchie helped wrap up the innings with 2-13 to leave Ventnor chasing a modest 131 for an opening day victory.
The visitors’ response suffered a wobble or two as McConchie (13), Adam Hose (19) and Martin Blackman (13) departed with only 55 runs on the board. However, skipper Ian Hilsum with 25 and Miller (18) steadied the ship before Neil Westhorpe and Rob Snell saw their side home with more than 15 overs to spare.
Bournemouth II are the visitors to Newclose on Saturday at 1pm.
Cheek hits 70 in third team victory
Ventnor’s third team began their Harwood’s Division 2 campaign with a 141 run win over Bembridge at Steephill.
James Cheek with a fine knock of 70 gave the home side a great start before a mid innings collapse set in, Dan McArthur (3-34) Mike Fletcher (3-27) and Barry Lloyd (2-19) doing the damage. Young Elliott Grey with 39 helped Ventnor recover to 193 before Bembridge, who fielded just seven players, crashed to 52 all out, Scott Wheeler taking 4-18.
Second team start this weekend
Ventnor’s second team begin their Hampshire League Division 2 campaign with a fixture against Southampton Community at Steephill on Saturday at 2pm.
University defeated
Cole McConchie cracked an excellent 71, Adam Hose 44, Neil Westhorpe 40 and Ian Hilsum 42 as Ventnor rattled up 281-8 in a friendly with Southampton University on Friday.
The visitors replied with 202-6 (Charlie Freeston 2-40).
Under 13s enjoy first match win
Ventnor’s under 13 team won their opening league game at Northwood by ten wickets.
Chasing a Northwood total of 101-5, Marcus Horton with 31 helped Ventnor to a convincing win.
Jadon Buckridge scored a fine hundred for Ventnor in his side’s victory in the under 13 friendly fixture against Bentley at Steephill on Sunday.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
