VENTNOR THRASH NEW MILTON TO STRENGTHEN TITLE CHALLENGE
Ventnor demolished New Milton at Fernhill on Saturday to stay in touch with leaders Burridge at the top of the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2.
The reigning champions inflicted a ten wicket defeat on the struggling New Forest side, dismissing the home club for only 89 to claim a maximum 22 points.
Charlie Freeston’s decision to field first was soon vindicated with the skipper doing the early damage, taking three wickets in a fine seven over spell which yielded just five runs. New Milton never recovered from that shocking start as Mark Allen (2-32) and Nono Pongolo (1-12) reduced them to 53-6, paving the way for spinners Ian Hilsum (2-12) and David Beven (2-25) to polish off the innings.
With Matt Compton unavailable, Richard Wilson was promoted from the second team and given the opportunity to open the innings with Mark Fletcher as Ventnor’s reply got under way. The pair rarely looked in trouble as they confidently saw their side to an emphatic victory with more than 23 overs remaining, Wilson cracking an unbeaten 45 and Fletcher 31 not out.
Bottom of the table Old Tauntonians and Romsey are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday.
TWENTY/20 SUCCESS FOR VENTNOR
On Sunday, Ventnor progressed to the second round of the Southern Electric Twenty/20 Cup with a 34 run win at Sarisbury Athletic.
The Islanders posted a formidable 179-6 from their 20 overs with consistent scoring down the order from Ian Hilsum 32, Neil Westhorpe 31 and Martin Blackman 26 before Charlie Freeston cut loose to blast 37 from only 15 deliveries.
The home side responded in spirited fashion but despite 48 from Matt Journeaux, finished well short of their 180 run target on 145-9, Ian Hilsum taking 2-20, Charlie Freeston 2-31 and David Beven 3-36.
Ventnor have a home tie in round two against Fareham & Crofton, probably on Sunday 28 June.
The finals in mid August will take place under the Rose Bowl floodlights, a great incentive for Ventnor to progress further!
SECOND TEAM TAKE OVER TOP SPOT
Ventnor recorded their fifth victory in six matches, a 55 run success over Fair Oak II, to take over the leadership of Hampshire League Division 4.
Peter Buckley was the batting hero for Ventnor, making the most of a rare opportunity to open the innings to crack a fine, unbeaten 91, despite being hindered by a pulled calf muscle. The veteran received excellent support from skipper Robert Snell who hit 48 and young Billy Clarke, whose contribution of 29 was crucial as Ventnor accelerated to reach 223-6 from 45 overs.
Barney Tyler took early wickets to put Ventnor in the driving seat, and when Rob Snell and Arthur Halsey inflicted further damage, the match looked all but over as Fair Oak slipped to 78-7. However, a fine partnership of 84 between Salmon (50) and Baker (31) put the visitors back in the hunt before Snell returned to win the match for Ventnor, finishing with 4-19.
The second team travel to Havant III on Saturday.
WESTHORPE WINS LEAGUE AWARD
Neil Westhorpe has won May’s Southern Electric Premier League Cricketer of the month award for Division 2. Ventnor’s leading SEPL run getter cracked two centuries in successive matches to clinch the prize.
LASHINGS WORLD XI NAME SQUAD
With Ventnor making plans for another big day with Lashings World XI on Sunday 23 August, the star studded visitors have named their squad for the season.
Richie Richardson will continue to captain the side which is bolstered by the inclusion of star attractions like Graeme Hick, Devon Malcolm (England) Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey Greg Blewett (Australia) and Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)
For further details and availability of Corporate Hospitality tables, please contact Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023.
MAURICE LICKENS MEMORIAL MATCH
Ventnor and Putney face each other on Sunday to compete for the Maurice Lickens Memorial Trophy at Steephill.
THIRD TEAM BACK IN ACTION
After a break for the Festival, Ventnor’s third team get back to Harwood’s League action with a match at Ryde Cavaliers II on Saturday.
