FINE WIN AT BURRIDGE KEEPS VENTNOR ON TOP
Ventnor maintained their position as Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 leaders after a thumping seven wicket win at third placed Burridge on Saturday.
With five matches remaining, the top of the table has a familiar look with Rowledge once again the Islanders’ nearest challengers for the title. The two sides meet in a crucial clash at Steephill this Saturday. The same fixture last year saw Ventnor snatch the title from their rivals grasp on a dramatic final day.
Charlie Freeston invited Burridge to bat on winning the toss and then saw Greg Lamb and Shannon Mascarenhas compile an opening stand of 108 before the brother of Hampshire’s skipper fell lbw to Ian Hilsum for 30.
Lamb, who cracked a fine 107 in his side’s win at Steephill earlier in the season, was again impressive, the former Hampshire all-rounder hitting 91 as his team reached 231-6 from 50 overs, Nono Pongolo (3-32) and Hilsum (2-47) the pick of the visitors’ attack.
Ventnor were given a tremendous start in pursuit of their victory target, openers Mark Fletcher and Matt Compton adding 99 in a fine partnership before left hander Compton departed for 47.
That base provided the ideal opportunity to push for a tenth win of the season, Fletcher hitting an impressive 67 before falling to Mascarenhas at 161-2. Neil Westhorpe’s knock of 52 proved crucial before Ian Hilsum with 33 and Nono Pongolo (11 not out) guided their side to an excellent victory with just five balls remaining.
HOSE OUTSTANDING AS VENTNOR DEFEAT HAYLING ISLAND
A fine innings of 82 from 16 year old Adam Hose helped Ventnor’s second team to an important six wicket success over Hayling Island in Hampshire League Division 4 at Steephill on Saturday. The win took the home team back to the top of the table at the expense of Hayling with five matches to play.
In a terrific 130 run partnership with skipper Rob Snell who made a fine 60, teenager Hose impressed throughout, helping his side recover from 19-2 to clinch an ultimately emphatic victory with eleven overs remaining.
Earlier in the day, the visitors had recovered from 108-7 to total 172-9 from their 45 overs, Arthur Halsey (3-45), Rob Snell (2-28) Andy White (2-15) and and Barney Tyler (2-40) among the wickets.
Ventnor travel to fourth placed Southampton Community on Saturday, looking for another victory as the race for the two promotion places hots up.
VENTNOR PREPARE FOR SOUTHERN ELECTRIC TWENTY20 SEMI FINAL
Premier One Andover stand between Ventnor and a Rose Bowl final as the two Clubs meet in the last four of the Southern Electric Twenty20 Cup at Steephill on Sunday.
Ventnor, who accounted for Premier Three sides Sarisbury and Fareham in previous rounds before producing a fine performance to knock out holders Bournemouth in an exciting quarter final at Steephill, may include Hampshire and England Under 19 left arm spinner Danny Briggs for the clash which starts at 3pm.
The Club are expecting another decent sized crowd for a match which pits Ventnor’s navy and royal blue against Andover’s canary yellow!
The winners can look forward to a great night out under the Rose Bowl floodlights on Wednesday 19 August. Lymington and Portsmouth contest the other semi final.
