VENTNOR RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Ventnor bounced back from the previous weekend’s defeat to record an excellent five wicket win at New Milton. The victory was enough to move the Islanders into second place in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 behind leaders Rowledge, who won their seventh successive game at home to Liphook.
Mark Whyte invited New Milton to bat first on winning the toss and was rewarded when Mark Holmes dismissed both openers with only 30 runs on the board. Leg spinner Ian Hilsum with 3-43 and Charlie Freeston (2-45) made further inroads before the home team recovered to reach 193-9 from their 50 overs.
Ventnor’s reply began disappointingly with David Beven and Southern League debutant Darren Taylor both dismissed without scoring. However, from 12-2, Ian Hilsum and Neil Westhorpe repaired the damage in a terrific partnership of 138 before the latter departed for 58. Hilsum went on to score a splendid 89 before he was fourth out at 167, leaving Mark Fletcher and Charlie Freeston to score the runs needed for a welcome victory.
Burridge are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday.
MORRIS AND GEORGE LEAD VENTNOR TO ANOTHER WIN
Ventnor’s second team retained top spot in Division 1 South of the Hampshire League in a high scoring encounter with third placed Curdridge at Steephill on Saturday.
Skipper Ross Edwards gave the visitors first use of a good looking pitch and they took full advantage to score 232-7 from 42 overs with Adam Wilson the pick of the Ventnor bowlers with 4-68.
The Ventnor response suffered an early setback when Olly Turpin departed with only 1 run on the board, but George Hatt (21) steadied the innings before he was dismissed to leave the home team on 57-2. That brought Patrick Morris and 14 year old Jacob George together and the pair batted superbly to add 84 for the third wicket. Morris cracked 9 fours in an excellent 78 while Portsmouth Grammar School pupil George underlined his promise with 8 boundaries in a fine knock of 56. There was still work to be done however, and it was Ashley Brett (24) and Lloyd Parker (13) who edged their side to the brink of victory before George Parker and Ben Clarke finished the job with 9 balls remaining.
The Club wish to thank Tinto’s Wine Bar for sponsoring the game.
The second team travel to Mudeford on Saturday.
FEAST OF RUNS FOR VENTNOR
Ventnor’s Sunday side defeated Chalfont St Peter by 186 runs at Steephill. Peter Buckley and Nono Pongolo each hit 70 while David Beven made 59 in a total of 339-8. The visitors were dismissed for 153 in reply.
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY AT STEEPHILL ON SUNDAY 6 JULY
Football fans will have a rare opportunity to see one of the country’s most prestigious sporting trophies at close quarters when the Barclays Premier League Trophy makes an appearance at Ventnor Cricket Club.
Former Ventnor player Ben Davies, an employee of Barclays Bank in London, won a competition to spend a day with the impressive trophy won by Manchester United in May. In a generous gesture, Ben has arranged for the trophy to spend an afternoon at Steephill on Sunday 6 July from 1pm until 4pm.
Children and adults alike will have an opportunity to have their photograph taken with the trophy, which will be accompanied by representatives from a security company, at a charge of £2.00 per person. The proceeds will go towards youth development at Ventnor Cricket Club, which has charitable status, and will be matched pound for pound by Barclays Bank.
