VENTNOR TAKE OVER AT THE TOP
Reigning champions Ventnor are back in familiar territory at the top of the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 after hammering struggling Hambledon by 103 runs at Steephill on Saturday. The Islanders returned to the summit after leaders Rowledge lost at Hartley Wintney while Greg Lamb’s third placed Burridge side came unstuck at Hursley Park.
An understrength Ventnor side made an uncertain start with debutant Rueben Friend and Neil Westhorpe dismissed with just 15 runs on the board as Hambledon’s James Scott made early in-roads. After Richard Wilson departed for an impressive 32, it was Ian Hilsum who held the innings together with a superb, undefeated 97, enabling his side to reach 229-6 from their 50 overs. It was the second week running that Ventnor’s stand-in skipper had come within three runs of a century, following his unbeaten knock in the Twenty20 win over Fareham.
After James Scutt fell to Marc Allen, Hambledon’s response had progressed to 50 before Blake Dean (27) was trapped lbw by Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo.
From thereon in, only Chakrabarti with 24 held up the home team as Hilsum completed another man of the match performance with 2-12 while Pongolo (2-24) Rob Snell (1-18) and David Beven (1-46) also assisted as the visitors were dismissed for 126.
Skipper Charlie Freeston returns for the visit to Hook & Newnham on Saturday.
VENTNOR PREPARE FOR TWENTY20 QUARTER FINAL
Ventnor take on Bournemouth at Steephill on Sunday in the quarter final of the Southern Electric Twenty20 Cup. The Dorset side, winners of the competition last year and just two points behind Havant at the top of Premier 1, will be a tough nut to crack for the Islanders who will be unable to call on Danny Briggs. The young left arm spinner is on ‘Test’ duty for England under 19’s. The winners of the tie will progress to the semis on Sunday 2 August, with the final taking place under the Rose Bowl floodlights on the 19 August.
An orange ball and coloured clothing will be typically Twenty20, while Mike Vimpany’s commentary and some well chosen music will doubtless add to the occasion!
SECOND TEAM DEFEATED AT HAMBLEDON
A second team including nine players under the age of 18 fell to a 72 run loss at Hambledon II on Saturday. The defeat was enough to knock Ventnor off the top of Hampshire League Division 4.
The influence of Hambledon’s former Hampshire player Ian Turner was crucial. He hit 49 in the home team’s total of 248-7, then took 2-19 as Ventnor replied with 176-9. Young Adam Hose dominated the visitors’ innings with a superb innings of 92 but only Mark Woodhouse offered meaningful support with 36 as the Islanders fell short. Earlier, George Parker took 4-49 for Ventnor in his first appearance of the season.
Hursley Park III are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday.
COTTON HITS A HUNDRED IN THIRD TEAM VICTORY
Joe Cotton hit a splendid, unbeaten 104 for Ventnor’s third team in their seven wicket win over Cowes Centurions in the Harwood’s League on Saturday. With Mark Price hitting 35, Malc White’s side comfortably overhauled the home team’s total of 188 all out.
Godshill are the visitors to Newclose on Saturday.
TON UP FRIEND IN VENTNOR’S WIN OVER SOUTH AFRICANS.
A terrific, boundary strewn innings of 113 from Tom Friend was the highlight of Ventnor’s 44 run win over South African tourists Blue Leopards at Steephill on Sunday. With Adam Hose scoring an impressive 56 and Nono Pongolo 33, the home team totalled 232-4 from their 40 overs. The visitors reply was led by Faraday with 40 but they were eventually dismissed for 188.
UNDER 13’S DEFEAT SOUTH AFRICAN COUNTERPARTS
Ventnor’s under 13 team defeated Easterns from South Africa by 25 runs at Steephill on Friday.
UNDER 11’S MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN
Ventnor’s under 11 side maintained their unbeaten start to the league season after a 137 run win over Northwood on Sunday.
