CHAMPIONS AGAIN!! IT’S A FIFTH TITLE FOR VENTNOR AS ROWLEDGE ARE DEFEATED
In an extraordinary climax to the ECB Southern Electric Premier League season, all conquering Ventnor have lifted the Division 2 Championship for a fifth successive year.
In a winner-take-all clash with season long leaders Rowledge at sun drenched Steephill on Saturday, Mark Whyte’s side defied the odds to defeat their north Hampshire rivals by 53 runs and snatch the title from the grasp of David Lloyd’s team.
This latest triumph is perhaps the most memorable and satisfying for the successful Ventnor side. Weakened by the departures of Alex Lloyd, John Birchall, Ryan Shutte and, for the first half of the campaign, Tom Friend in addition to long term injuries to Mark Fletcher, Martin Blackman and Matt Compton, their chances of another championship seemed remote after a mid season decline saw them lose four matches, including three at home and a 43 all out disaster at Purbrook. Paradoxically, that general slump in form over a six week period included a fine away win at Rowledge, and it was that result, coupled with a tremendous late run of five consecutive, emphatic victories, which meant the last day of the season arrived with the destiny of the title still intrigingly in the balance.
Skipper Whyte won the toss and elected to bat first on a firm, true looking pitch. Teenage openers Tom Friend and Danny Briggs began in fine fashion, rattling along at five an over before Briggs edged Forbes to slip for 35. Thirty four runs later, Friend departed for 38 and when Ben Woodhouse and Ian Hilsum followed soon after, the home side were reduced to 98-4 as veteran left arm spinner Yates and seamer Sharp applied the brake.
With Rowledge sensing another breakthrough may prove significant, it was Neil Westhorpe and Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo who led the Ventnor recovery in a tremendous fifth wicket partnership of 103. The teenage South African hit three sixes in his 34 but it was left hander Westhorpe who took centre stage with a splendid, unbeaten knock of 77, leading a late innings onslaught as 90 runs were added in the final ten overs, enabling the home team to reach 223-7.
Rowledge came into the match needing ten points to make sure of the title but knowing that six points would be sufficient, even if they lost the game, provided they restricted Ventnor to 17.
That scenario seemed to affect the visitors’ approach as Ventnor seized the initiative after tea, pace man Andy Whyte dismissing the League’s top scorer, Australian Justin Larrescy, and skipper Lloyd with only 28 runs on the board. Opener Chris Yates took the score to 67 before falling to Danny Briggs, courtesy of a fine leg side catch by wicket keeper Mark Whyte for 43.
At 118-3 and with a daunting 105 still needed from 13 overs to win the game, calculators became the order of the day in the visitors’ dressing room as batsmen Nick Morant and Rick Yates received instructions that a total of 175 would be enough to land the title, provided they denied Ventnor further bowling points.
That strategy was promptly blown away as Briggs dismissed Yates for 25 and when Pongolo bowled Morant for 34, Ventnor sensed a famous victory and fifth league title was within their grasp. Briggs’ left arm spin brought him two more crucial wickets before a tremendous second spell from Andy Whyte ripped out the Rowledge tail as they crashed to 170 all out, the Ventnor all-rounder finishing with 5-37.
On behalf of the League, Mike Vimpany presented the Championship Trophy to victorious captain Mark Whyte, who also received a bottle of champagne from magnanimous losing captain, David Lloyd.
VENTNOR’S SECOND TEAM CLINCH TITLE DESPITE DEFEAT
The Clubhouse at Ventnor on Saturday night was the scene of a double celebration as the second team clinched the Hampshire League Regional Division 1 South title.
Although suffering a nine wicket defeat at the hands of Southampton Community, they completed a highly successful campaign by claiming the point they needed to finish top and will start next season in County League Division 4.
Batting first, only George Hatt (32) Rob Snell (22) and Peter Buckley (18no) made any real contribution as Ventnor struggled to 136-9 against an accurate attack.
Southampton Community made short work of the modest target, passing the Ventnor total for the loss of just one wicket, Malik (64no) and Nadeem (52) winning the match for their side as they joined the Islanders in promotion.
THIRD TEAM THWARTED BY THE WEATHER
Ventnor’s third team and Brading will replay the Fred Winter Memorial Cup after heavy rain forced the abandonment of Sunday’s final at Westhill.
Set 214 to win after Ian Riley (62) and Ollie Fleming (48) had top scored for Brading, Ventnor reached 78 without loss (Jo Cotton 38, Mark Price 36) before the rains came.
