VENTNOR TITLE HOPES HANGING BY A THREAD
Ventnor’s hopes of a fifth successive Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 title are slipping away after a fourth defeat of the season against Lymington on Saturday.
In an entertaining, fluctuating match at Steephill, it was the New Forest side who came out on top by 13 runs to leap frog the Islanders into third place.
Batting first, Australian Craig O’Shannessy with 77 and former Shanklin player Rob Lammiman (53) top scored as the visitors raced to 232-3 with 15 overs still remaining. With Lymington set for a 300 plus total, Tom Friend dismissed both O’Shannessy and Lammiman in an inspired second spell to trigger an extraordinary collapse, the last seven wickets falling for just 16 runs, Nono Pongolo (4-42) and Charlie Freeston (3-63) knocking over the lower order.
Ventnor’s pursuit of 259 began disappointingly as they lost their top five for 113, only Friend (24) and Phil Baldwin (29) reaching double figures. Pongolo (57) and Andy Whyte (52no) then led an excellent recovery but despite their efforts and Mark Holmes’ support with 15, they fell just short of their target to leave Lymington the victors.
Second placed Old Tauntonians and Romsey are the visitors on Saturday.
SECOND TEAM BACK ON TOP AFTER WIN AT BASHLEY
Ventnor’s second team are back in pole position in Hampshire League Division 1 South after a 56 run win over nearest title challengers Bashley on Saturday. Rob Snell’s presence proved vital in the victory. The all rounder hit an excellent 84, and with Pat Morris contributing a fine 76 in a partnership of 152, the Islanders totalled 189-5 from 42 overs.
Snell then made an important contribution with the ball, taking 3-23 from 11 overs as he and the impressive Adam Wilson (2-25) reduced the home side to 73-5. Bashley made a partial recovery before Lloyd Parker (2-21) Ashly Brett polished off the innings to leave the New Forest team 133 all out.
Ross Edwards’ side visit Cowplain on Saturday.
NARROW DEFEAT FOR THIRD TEAM
Ventnor’s third eleven were defeated by just 10 runs by Newport II in the Harwood’s League division 2 on Saturday. Set to score 208 to win, the young Ventnor side fell just short, despite the efforts of Jo Cotton (31) Mark Price (35) Rueben Friend (36) and Ben Clarke (28) Stuart Gurney hit 70 for Newport.
CUP SEMI FINAL THIS WEEKEND
Ventnor travel to Northwood on Sunday in the semi final of the Island Webservices Senior Cup. The match starts at 2pm.
