VENTNOR CRASH TO HEAVY DEFEAT
Just a week after a fine win at leaders Rowledge, Ventnor’s hopes of a fifth successive Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 title suffered a real setback as they crashed to a humiliating 98 run defeat at bottom of the table Purbrook. The Islanders were dismissed for a paltry 43, their lowest total in more than 30 years of competitive cricket.
The top five Ventnor batsmen were back in the pavilion with only 12 runs on the board as Steve Mitchell (4-26) and Sam Pearce (3-10) swung and moved the ball off the seam alarmingly. Only Tom Friend (10) and Mark Holmes(14) managed double figures as the innings fell apart inside 21 overs to leave the home side emphatic winners on an extraordinary afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Ventnor’s bowlers again produced the goods to dismiss the hosts for 141, though a succession of dropped catches undermined some of their work. Nono Pongolo was the pick of the attack with 3-12 from nine overs with David Beven taking 2-27 from an eight over stint. Their efforts were all to no avail, however, as a batting horror show made the visit to Portsdown Hill a day to forget!
Ventnor will need to have recovered from that ‘one off’ performance by the time old rivals Lymington visit Steephill on Saturday. Only a victory will do for Mark Whyte’s side if they are to harbour realistic hopes of catching table toppers Rowledge.
WILSON STARS AS SECOND TEAM WIN AGAIN
There was better news at Steephill where the second team defeated Waterlooville II by five wickets in Hampshire League Division 1 South.
The visitors batted first and slumped to 10-4 as Adam Wilson and Josh Franklin made early in-roads. A middle order recovery meant a final total of 166 gave the ‘Ville something to bowl at and they were no doubt grateful for some wayward Ventnor bowling which provided them with 33 runs in wides and no balls!
George Hatt hit five boundaries in a quick fire 32 as Ventnor replied, but it was young Wilson who impressed with an excellent, unbeaten 62, holding the innings together to lead his side to victory with five overs remaining. Adam Hose lent support with 21.
Ventnor take on Bashley on Saturday in a top of the table clash in the New Forest.
THIRD TEAM REACH SEMI FINAL
Ventnor’s third eleven are through to the semi final of the Fred Winter KO Cup after a fine four wicket win over Bembridge on Saturday. Mark Price was the hero with a fine knock of 81 as Malc White’s successfully chased a 200+ total. They will play Godshill in the semi’s on 2 August.
SOUTH AFRICANS COME OUT ON TOP
Blue Leopards, managed by the former Sussex player Paul Phillipson, defeated Ventnor by 50 runs at Steephill on Sunday. Set to score 170 from 30 overs, only Rob Snell (55) and Nono Pongolo threatened that total as the home side were dismissed for 120.
UNDER 13’S IN SPIRIT OF CRICKET FINAL
Ventnor’s under 13 side take on Yateley for a place in the regional finals of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cup at Steephill on Monday 14 July at 6pm.
