WEEKEND OF DISAPPOINTMENT AS THREE VENTNOR SIDES LOSE
Ventnor Cricket Club had a weekend to forget as all three sides lost their Saturday league matches.
The first team, already hit by long term injuries to Matt Compton and Martin Blackman were further weakened by the unavailability of Neil Westhorpe and Mark Fletcher for the visit of Burridge to Steephill in Southern Electric Premier League Division 2. The Hampshire side took first use of a good looking pitch but were in trouble on 22-2 as ‘Nono’ Pongolo and Andy Whyte made early in-roads. The visitors recovered to eventually post a total of 183 with Ankers (75) top scoring, David Beven being the most successful of the Ventnor bowlers with 3-24.
Ventnor’s reply began promisingly enough with Rob Snell and Ian Hilsum adding 29 before left hander Snell fell for 17. That decent start soon turned to dust, however, as a flurry of wickets saw the home team crash to 50-6. Hilsum and Andy Whyte attempted a recovery but when the opener departed for an impressive 40 there was no way back. Pace man Charlie Freeston, limited to bowling off spin by a knee injury, took his frustration out on the Burridge attack with an entertaining knock of 44, but despite his efforts, the Islanders were still defeated by 46 runs as Shannon Mascharenhas brought the all-rounder’s innings to an end.
Thanks are due to Graham Perks of the Winter Gardens for sponsoring the game.
Ventnor face a crucial visit to leaders Rowledge on Saturday. The Hampshire border side are unbeaten but the Islanders have a decent record at the village’s club ground and will be looking for a win to keep in touch.
FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON FOR SECOND TEAM
The second team’s excellent start to the season received a set back on Saturday after a four wicket loss at Mudeford II in Hampshire League Division 1 South. The defeat was enough to knock the Islanders off the top of the table and they will look to get back to winning ways against Rowner at Steephill on Saturday.
Without Patrick Morris due to injury, only Adam Wilson, Ross Edwards and the veteran Nigel Cox passed 20 as Ventnor struggled to 126 on a rain affected pitch. Mudeford also found runs hard to come by but eventually overhauled the modest target for the loss of six wickets, Olly Turpin returning 4-33 for the visitors.
THIRD TEAM DEFEATED BY GODSHILL
Another unbeaten record came to end on Saturday as Ventnor’s youthful third team lost to Godshill in Harwood’s League division 2.
Chasing the village side’s total of 187-7, Ventnor were dismissed for 144, the in-form Jo Cotton hitting 60 and Rueben Friend 31.
Malcolm White’s side visit Northwood II in the League on Saturday.
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY AT STEEPHILL!
As recently reported, Sunday 6 July provides a fantastic opportunity for football fans and particularly Manchester United supporters to have their photograph taken with the Barclays Premier League Trophy. The impressive piece of silverware will be at Ventnor Cricket Club between 1pm and 4pm and arrives courtesy of former Ventnor player Ben Davies, an employee of Barclays Bank in London, who won a competition to spend a day with the Trophy and two Minders!
The Club will not be providing a photographer so people will need to bring a camera. The charge per person will be just £2 and at Ben’s request, money raised from the event will go towards youth development at the Cricket Club and will be matched pound for pound by Barclays.
