HILSUM TAKES THE LEAD AS VENTNOR WIN AGAIN
Ian Hilsum played a vital role in Ventnor’s latest Southern Electric Premier League victory as they defeated Hook and Newnham Basics by 59 runs at Steephill on Saturday. The all rounder hit 57 in his side’s modest total of 175, then took 3-15 as the north Hampshire visitors were dismissed for 116.
Batting first on another good looking Steephill track, Ventnor suffered two early set backs as opening pair Mark Fletcher and Robert Snell departed cheaply. The promising Ben Woodhouse struck several fine boundaries in a knock of 30, but when Neil Westhorpe and South African Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo also fell for single figures, the home team were in a spot of bother on 82-5. Hilsum held the remainder of the innings together with a determined half century and with Andy Whyte contributing 22, the Islanders eventually reached 175 from their 50 overs.
The visitors, who had lost their previous three matches, began their reply in positive fashion with an opening stand of 74 as Ventnor’s unbeaten start to the season came under serious threat. However, the course of the match was turned on it’s head by the introduction of leg spinner Hilsum and seamer Andy Whyte after Charlie Freeston, Mark Holmes and Pongolo had failed a make a breakthrough. Hilsum had the impressive Ben Briggs (40) caught behind and then trapped Hobday lbw before Thane played on to Whyte for 30.
The Ventnor duo then inflicted further damage as the innings subsided to 84-5, paving the way for Pongolo (2-33) and Freeston (3-27) to return to the attack to polish off the tail and complete a remarkable comeback by Mark Whyte’s team. The shell shocked visitors headed for home having lost 10 wickets for just 42 runs in only 14 overs after looking favourites for victory less than an hour earlier!
The Club wish to thank Clutterbuck Edwards, Chartered Architects and Surveyor, for their sponsorship of the match.
Ventnor visit Liphook and Ripsley on Saturday.
MAIDEN VENTNOR CENTURY FOR HATT AS SECOND TEAM WIN AT AMPFIELD
Teenage opening batsman George Hatt cracked a splendid maiden century for Ventnor as his side defeated Ampfield by 64 runs in Hampshire League Division 1 South. The young left hander finished unbeaten on 102no as he and Patrick Morris (69) led their side to 225-5 from their 42 overs.
Ampfield never seriously threatened the visitors total with opener Sahib batting throughout the innings to finish unbeaten on 58. Adam Wilson (3-18) and Ashley Brett (2-26) were the pick of the Ventnor bowlers as the home team closed on 161-7.
Ventnor welcome CBBEA to Steephill this weekend for their next Hampshire League match.
COTTON AND PRICE LEAD THIRD TEAM TO VICTORY AT MEDINA
A terrific, unbroken opening partnership between teenager Joe Cotton (79no)
and veteran Mark Price (64no) led Ventnor’s third team to a convincing 10 wicket win over Medina at Seaclose on Saturday in Harwood’s League division 2.
Set to score 178 (Steve Measures 62) the visitors cantered victory with young Cotton underlining his promise with a Ventnor best score.
Ventnor take on Plessey II at Arreton on Saturday.
PONGOLO HITS A TON IN SUNDAY FRIENDLY
Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo smashed his first hundred for Ventnor in Sunday’s drawn game with The Cricket Society at Steephill. The 19 year old from the Cape hit 101 not out as he and Patrick Morris (49no), Danny Briggs (35) David Beven (27) and Ben Woodhouse (24) helped the home team to 268-5.
The visitors made little attempt to chase the target and closed on 148-6, Adam Wilson and Olly Turpin each taking 2 wickets.
The Club extend their thanks to Graham and Christine Benson of Blue Heaven Productions for their sponsorship of this fixture.
UNDER 15’S IN COUNTY FINAL
Ventnor will meet Ryde Cavaliers in the Island final of Portman Building Society Cup at Ryde CC on 10 June at 6pm.
