VENTNOR STAY IN TITLE HUNT AFTER WIN AT ROWLEDGE
Ventnor produced an excellent performance to inflict a first defeat of the season on leaders Rowledge in Division 2 of the Southern Electric Premier League on Saturday. It was a victory which opened up the title race and lifted the Islanders into second place after Lymington’s heavy defeat at New Milton.
Ventnor were strengthened by the inclusion of Hampshire Academy’s Tom Friend and it was the young quick bowler who made an early breakthrough when he had Queenslander Justin Larrescy caught behind. Rowledge suffered further set-backs as Nono Pongolo took out the middle order and only Chris Yates (57) and skipper David Lloyd (45) made much impact as Ventnor’s impressive attack dismissed the home side for 189. South African Pongolo finished with 3-22 while Mark Holmes (2-36) Ian Hilsum (2-36) and Friend (2-29) provided quality support.
Ventnor’s reply began in tremendous fashion with Ian Hilsum and Charlie Freeston adding 67 in an impressive opening partnership. Makeshift opener Freeston cracked three sixes in a knock of 41 while Hilsum hit 30 as the visitors got the start they needed. Useful contributions down the order from Ben Woodhouse (21) Neil Westhorpe(23) and Tom Friend (16) edged Ventnor nearer their target but after Pongolo and Andy Whyte had been dismissed cheaply, it took a partnership between skipper Mark Whyte (10) and David Beven (17no) to clinch an important two wicket victory with just four balls remaining.
Ventnor travel to Purbrook on Saturday as the season enters it’s second phase.
SECOND TEAM RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Ventnor bounced back from the previous week’s defeat to record a seven wicket win over Rowner in Division 1 South of the Hampshire League on Saturday. The victory was enough to maintain second place behind leaders Bashley, who the Islanders face in a fortnight.
Rowner batted first on the winning the toss, but struggled to make any headway as Adam Wilson (2-18) Ashley Brett (1-17) impressed. The visitors staged a middle order recovery before leg spinner Olly Turpin took charge, taking 5-36 as the Hampshire side were dismissed for 128.
The modest total posed few problems for Ventnor as they cantered to victory with eleven overs remaining, Darren Taylor hitting 23 and Wilson and Turpin 38 and 20 not out respectively.
Waterlooville are the visitors on Saturday.
THIRD TEAM CONTINUE PROMISING START
Ventnor’s third team maintained their good start to the League campaign with an emphatic 128 run win at Northwood II on Saturday. Mark Price thumped a fine 83 and 15 year old Adam Hose an excellent 56 as the Steephill side rattled up 234-8 from their 40 overs.
Northwood lost early wickets to Malc White (3-17) and never recovered, slipping to 106 all out, Scott Wheeler taking 4-23 and Michael Compton
2-0 for Ventnor.
Ventnor face Bembridge in the second round of the Fred Winter Memorial Cup at Arreton on Saturday.
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY AT STEEPHILL THIS SUNDAY!
This Sunday provides a great opportunity for football fans to have their photograph taken with the Barclays Premier League Trophy. The impressive piece of silverware will make an appearance at Ventnor Cricket Club’s Steephill ground between 1pm and 4pm. The charge for each photo is just £2.00 per person.
Visitors, who will need to provide their own camera, can also take in the cricket match between Ventnor and Blue Leopards, a powerful under 18 side from Cape Town in South Africa.
