VENTNOR BACK AT THE TOP!
Triple Champions Ventnor returned to the top of Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 after a tense 22 run win over previously unbeaten league leaders Rowledge at Steephill on Saturday.
Mark Whyte’s side made the most of the ‘Ventnor weather’ to clinch an important victory on a day when the majority of Southern and Hampshire League cricket fell victim to torrential rain.
For the second week running, Ryan Shutte played a major part in his side’s success but this time with ball rather than bat. The South African all-rounder took a Ventnor best 7-38 but the win was a real team effort with crucial contributions throughout the side, achieved without the influence of pace man Andy Whyte whose achilles tendon injury restricted him to just one over.
So confident was skipper Whyte in the local weather forecast that he elected to bat first on winning the toss. Alex Lloyd and Neil Westhorpe, opening the innings in place of Matt Compton, absent on RAF duty, added 33 before the latter was run out for 20. Lloyd fell 10 runs later for 15 before Shutte and John Birchall came together to take the score to 93, a partnership ended when the left hander was adjudged leg before for 21. The visitors’ accurate and spin dominated attack made further breakthroughs as Ian Hilsum, Martin Blackman and Charlie Freeston all departed cheaply and at 144-6 much rested on the shoulders of Birchall. The all-rounder went on to complete an impressive half century but on 58, he fell to a boundary catch to leave his side on 160-7. Young Tom Friend hit several boundaries in a handy knock of 16 but it was captain Whyte who provided the late innings impetus with 22 vital runs, including 15 from the final six deliveries as Ventnor totalled 195 from their 50 overs.
Rowledge’s early season success has been based around their consistent top order batting but Ventnor made immediate inroads as pace man Shutte took charge. He took 3- 25 in a new ball spell, including the scalp of Chris Yates junior, to leave the visitors struggling on 32-3. Aussie Scott McNaughton and the talented David Lloyd led a recovery but leg spinner Hilsum and seamer Birchall bowled crucial spells, conceding just 49 runs in 17 overs as the pressure on the leaders increased. The fourth wicket partnership of 79 was broken at 111 when Hilsum trapped McNaughton leg before for 47 and further success followed as Birchall accounted for Metcalfe one run later. Lloyd inched his side nearer their target but was finally undone as Shutte returned to the attack. The Ventnor ‘quickie’ dismissed the Rowledge all-rounder for a patient 48 and then claimed three more wickets before Freeston clean bowled Bonser to finally dismiss the Surrey border side for 173.
Ventnor are at home again in the Southern Electric Premier League on Saturday when Purbrook visit Steephill.
Mark Fletcher’s back injury shows little sign of improvement while Andy Whyte’s achilles problem is likely to rule him out. Matt Compton is away with the RAF for another three weeks so Rob Snell will probably feature.
SECONDS WASHED OUT
The second team’s Hampshire League fixture with Portsmouth Community was a victim of the mainland rain storms. This weekend David Beven’s side travel to Salthill.
THIRD TEAM WIN AGAIN
The third team secured their second successive victory with a 49 run success over Plessey II in Harwood’s League division 2.
The Ventnor youngsters recovered from 79-8 to reach 144 all out with James Buckley (33) and George Parker (20no) top scoring. Kevin Hatt (20) and Phil Read (30no) top scored for Plessey but Parker and fellow teenager Arthur Halsey each took three wickets to dismiss the Cowes side for 95.
Shanklin II are the next opponents on Saturday.
