Well done to young Adam Hose for his excellent performance on the pitch on Saturday. Ed
HOSE THE HERO AS VENTNOR WIN AGAIN
Adam Hose, Ventnor’s 16 year old all rounder, underlined his considerable promise with a superb performance in his side’s vital five wicket win at Hursley Park in Division 2 of the Southern Electric Premier League on Saturday.
The teenager, opening the innings in only his second Premier League appearance, hit a brilliant, unbeaten 73 as Ventnor maintained their position as League leaders with just three matches remaining.
Hose caught the eye with a patient, technically impressive knock in the face of a fiery opening spell from Hampshire’s Billy Taylor and was unfazed by a disastrous start which saw three wickets fall for just three runs!
Nono Pongolo helped Hose to repair the initial damage but when the South African departed for 18, Ventnor were still in considerable trouble at 38-4. Without the services of Martin Blackman, Matt Compton and Richard Wilson
Ventnor included another teenager, Jake George, in the side and it was the West of England Under 15 batsman who joined Hose to get their side back in the game. The pair took the score to 90 before right hander George was unfortunately run out for an impressive 22.
With Ventnor still requiring 78 for victory as the overs ticked by, Hursley would have been quietly confident of victory, particularly with Taylor up their sleeve.
However, with Hose passing 50 and Rob Snell lending excellent support, the return of Taylor failed to make the breakthrough as the visitors went on to clinch a splendid victory with four overs remaining. Snell’s impressive 44 not out was crucial but it was young Hose who deservedly took the plaudits for a fine, match winning performance.
Earlier in the day, the Islanders had produced an effective bowling display to dismiss the home side for 167, Charlie Freeston (2-28) Nono Pongolo (3-33)
Rob Snell (2-11) and Ian Hilsum (2-17) among the wickets. Billy Taylor hit 50 for Hursley.
Ventnor face New Milton at Steephill on Saturday as the title race hots up.
VENTNOR HAMMER NORTHWOOD TO RETAIN WEBSERVICES TROPHY
Ventnor made short work of Northwood to retain the Island Webservices Senior Cup at Newclose on Sunday, winning by ten wickets in a one sided contest.
Northwood elected to bat first on winning the toss but were soon in trouble with the Heelan brothers back in the pavilion with only 16 runs on the board, Rob Snell and Nono Pongolo doing the damage.
The Harwood’s League leaders never recovered from that disappointing start and crashed to 76 all out, only former Ventnor man Chris Williams with 19 holding up proceedings. Leg spinner David Beven finished with 4-24 while Pongolo, bowling with real pace, took 5-22.
The impressive Matt Compton hit eight fours in his unbeaten 46 as Ventnor cantered to victory inside 20 overs, fellow opener Mark Fletcher contributing 29.
Tim Marshall of Island Webservices presented the trophy to Charlie Freeston and the man of the match award to Nono Pongolo.
SECOND TEAM STAY TOP AFTER CLOSE ENCOUNTER
Ventnor remain top of Hampshire League Division 4 South but were made to work hard for their four wicket win by mid table IBM Hursley.
Batting first, the Winchester visitors totalled 210-8 from their 45 overs with Adam Wilson (4-35) and James Cheek (2-44) the most successful of the home side’s attack.
At 64-3 and then 110-4, Ventnor’s task looked tough with the required run rate edging past six an over. However, young opener James Cheek held the innings together with an impressive 52, and when he departed, Andy White and Phil Baldwin took the initiative. The pair added 66 for the fifth wicket and although White was dismissed two short of a fine half century, Baldwin went on to crack four sixes in a terrific knock of 57 not out to lead his side home with just five balls remaining.
Ventnor travel to Emsworth on Saturday. With just a handful of points separating the top four and only the first and second placed teams winning going up, Ventnor will probably need to win their remaining three games to be sure of promotion.
VENTNOR PREPARE FOR A NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS!
Ventnor are gearing up for one of the biggest occasions in their history when they travel to The Rose Bowl on Wednesday to take on Lymington in the final of the Southern Electric Twenty20 Cup.
The floodlit showpiece, which starts at 7pm, will be an event to savour for players and spectators alike as Ventnor look to defeat their old rivals from the New Forest. As a Premier 1 side, Lymington may be considered favourites but having defeated two ‘gold league’ sides on the way to the final, including the holders Bournemouth, Ventnor will be full of confidence.
The final has even led to a change in a honeymoon date! Neil Westhorpe, who gets married this Sunday, has negotiated a delayed departure with his bride to be!
Ventnor will select from: Charlie Freeston, Martin Blackman, Nono Pongolo, Danny Briggs, Matt Compton, Marc Allen, Adam Hose, Rob Snell, Ian Hilsum, Mark Fletcher, Mark Whyte, David Beven, Neil Westhorpe.
Just to add a little more spice to the evening, Lymington are likely to include the former Island based trio of James Lucy, Rob Lammiman and Tommy Barton!
The club are running coaches to the game. For further details, please contact Mal Sketchley on 01983 855239 or at the Clubhouse on 01983 852506.
LASHINGS NAME FINAL SQUAD
Lashings World XI, a side bristling with players of international quality, have named their final squad for the annual fixture at Ventnor on Sunday 23 August at 2.30pm.
This event has become one of the most popular in the Island’s sporting calendar and is likely to attract another large crowd to Ventnor’s unique Steephill ground.
Richie Richardson, Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran (West Indies) Henry Olonga (Zimbabwe) Ian Harvey, Stuart Law, Greg Blewett (Australia) Devon Malcolm, Phil deFreitas, John Emburey, Graeme Hick (England) Mohammed Akram, Azhar Mahmood (Pakistan)
Spectator tickets are on sale from the Clubhouse or from Hose Rhodes and Dickson in Ventnor. Tickets to lunch in the Hospitality Marquee are also still available. For further information, please contact Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023 or 01983 740131
