More great results from the Ventnor Cricket Club.
VENTNOR CLOSE GAP AT THE TOP AS BURRIDGE ARE DEFEATED
Ventnor moved into second place in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 after a 65 run win at Hartley Wintney on Saturday. Rowledge’s defeat of previously unbeaten leaders Burridge puts David Lloyd’s side top of the League as the season reaches the half way stage.
Ventnor took first use of a decent looking pitch to post 227-9 from their 50 overs. Neil Westhorpe (39) and Ian Hilsum (45) top scored for the visitors but handy contributions from Richard Wilson (19) Matt Compton (14) and ‘Nono’ Pongolo (13) kept the scoreboard ticking over before Mark Fletcher’s invaluable 31 not out ensured full batting points.
Hartley enjoyed an excellent start in reply, posting 32 from the opening six overs before Mark Allen and Joby Wells broke through in quick succession. Pongolo and Allen inflicted further damage and when Hilsum dismissed Baldwin and Cockram, the home team were all but out of the contest. A knock of 56 from Matt Digweed provided resistance, but effective spells from Matt Compton (1-22) and David Beven (2-26) reduced the hosts to 145-9 before man of the match Hilsum claimed a third wicket to clinch the match for his side.
Ventnor host strugglers Hambledon on Saturday.
HILSUM AND WESTHORPE LEAD VENTNOR TO TWENTY2O VICTORY
A tremendous partnership of 124 between Neil Westhorpe and Ian Hilsum led Ventnor to a massive 195-4 in Sunday’s Southern Electric Twenty20 clash with Fareham at Steephill. Westhorpe’s superb innings of 79 maintained his impressive run of form while Hilsum, also in great nick, played some glorious shots in a fine, unbeaten knock of 97.
Fareham’s reply got off to the worst possible start when Mark Allen dismissed Liam Thomas without a run on the board. In truth, the visitors never recovered from that early blow, and although Kevin Light cracked an excellent 66 not out, Ventnor won comfortably by 59 runs, the Premier 3 side closing on 136-6.
The quarter final draw, made at the Rose Bowl on Monday, has given the Islanders an intriguing home clash with current Cup holders and Premier 1 title challengers Bournemouth. The match will take place on Sunday 12 July.
SECOND TEAM WIN AFTER BASHLEY SCARE
Ventnor’s second team maintained their place at the top of Hampshire League Division 4 but only after Bashley III ran them close at Steephill on Saturday.
Rob Snell’s side looked set for a comfortable win after reaching 73-2 in pursuit of the visitors total of 148. Adam Hose impressed in his knock of 42 but when the teenager was dismissed wickets started to tumble. Skipper Snell’s excellent innings of 44 edged his side towards their target but when he departed, 10 runs were still required with three wickets remaining. Bashley’s veteran seamer Bob Paul (5-36) then clean bowled Barney Tyler and Arthur Halsey, leaving the reliable Peter Buckley (8 not out) to eke out the runs required as Ventnor scrambled home.
Earlier in the day, Tyler (3-19) Halsey (2-24) and Adam Wilson (2-27) were among the wickets with Bashley’s Stuart Layton providing the main resistance with 79.
Ventnor travel to play Hambledon II on Saturday.
THIRD TEAM DEFEAT SHANKLIN IN HARWOOD’S LEAGUE
A splendid unbeaten 70 from Reuben Friend and a maiden half century from young Billy Clarke led Ventnor’s third team to an eight wicket win over Shanklin II in the Harwood’s Renault League, chasing a target of 167.
FRIEND BLASTS 90 IN WIN OVER LEATHERHEAD
Spectators at Steephill on Sunday were treated to a double dose of Twenty20 as Ventnor entertained Leatherhead in a late afternoon fixture.
Matt Roberts hit 60 for the Surrey tourists but his proved the only telling contribution as the visitors slipped from 80-2 to 127 all out, Neil Westhorpe (4-11) Mark Allen (4-11) and Josh Franklin (2-13) the men responsible.
Tom Friend made short work of the target, blitzing a brilliant, unbeaten 90 as Ventnor cantered to a seven wicket win from only 14 overs.
VENTNOR’S BRIGGS SELECTED FOR ENGLAND UNDER 19’S
Danny Briggs has been selected to play for England Under 19’s in the forthcoming Friends Provident ‘Test’ matches against Bangladesh at Scarborough and Derby.
Ventnor’s left arm spinner, who made his Hampshire debut in the Friends Provident Trophy earlier this season, is one of four Hampshire Academy players in the squad.
