Ventnor produced a superb performance to shock reigning champions Havant in their ECB Southern Electric Premier Division clash on Saturday.
Charlie Freeston’s side didn’t just defeat Havant, they outplayed them in every department on their way to a highly impressive seven wicket win with more than 11 overs remaining.
As home team manager Mike Edwards remarked: ‘Credit has to be given to Ventnor because it is a long time since we have been so comprehensively beaten. They got us on the back foot from the start and never allowed us to recover. They batted and fielded better than us and looked a very good side’.
Skipper Freeston couldn’t hide his delight. ‘It was a brilliant result for us, he said. ‘Eight of this side have come up through the ranks at Ventnor and I’m particularly pleased for Mark Fletcher who has played in every division for us over the past 17 years’.
Havant, who have won the Premier League for the past three seasons, batted first on winning the toss and were rocked by a fiery opening spell from Sean Nowak. Ventnor’s South African quickie accounted for Mark Miller and Ben Walker and when Freeston trapped Chris Morgan leg before, the hosts were struggling on 14-3. Danny Briggs, free of Hampshire first team duties since the arrival of Sri Lankan left arm spinner Rangana Herath, took 3-37 to remove the Havant middle order and although Richard Hindley (52) and Jarrad Daniells (31) provided resistance, Andy Whyte’s spell of 2-28 helped nail the champions for 168.
The visitors were given in fine start in pursuit of their target with openers Mark Fletcher and Danny Briggs impressing in an opening partnership of 60 before the England under 19 all-rounder was dismissed by Roger Miller for 33. After Matt Compton departed cheaply, Ian Hilsum joined Fletcher in a match winning combination as Ventnor raced to a marvellous victory. Hilsum hit ten fours in a splendid, run a ball 72 while Fletcher’s knock of 53 from 104 deliveries provided fine support.
Ventnor will be looking to cause another upset as top of the table Bournemouth visit Newclose on Saturday at 1pm.
Hose Blasts Ventnor to Victory
Adam Hose, Ventnor’s highly promising 17 year old, cracked his maiden first team century to lead his side to a convincing nine wicket win over Fareham & Crofton in the first round of the ECB National Club Championship at Bath Lane on Sunday.
The teenager thumped 11 fours and 5 sixes in a fine unbeaten knock of 129 from just 102 deliveries. Neil Westhorpe lent support with 52 not out as Ventnor overhauled a Fareham total of 221 with eleven overs to spare.
Ventnor will visit Havant in the second round on June 6.
Ventnor to face Valley End
Ventnor will travel to Surrey Championship side Valley End this Sunday in the second round of the Club Cricket Conference Knock Out Cup.
Second team clinch victory in tense finish
Ventnor maintained their unbeaten start to the Hampshire League campaign but only after a hard fought win at Steep on Saturday.
In form Darren Taylor hit 46 while Ben Woodhouse (31) Richard Wilson (22) Rob Snell (35) James Cheek (17) and newcomer Kyle Sharp (16) all made starts without going on to make a big score as their side were dismissed for 189.
As Steep replied, Mark Holmes, easing his way back to fitness after shoulder surgery, made two early breakthroughs to reduce the home side to 39-2. Mark Preston got his side back into the game with 62 but at 138-7 (James Cheek 2-37), the match looked to be turning Ventnor’s way. However, an eighth wicket partnership of 45 set up a tense finish with Steep requiring eleven runs to win from the remaining three overs. It was the return of Snell to the attack which was to prove decisive, the all-rounder claiming 2-34 to win the match for his side as the home side were dismissed for 181. Mark Holmes took 4-30.
Rowledge II are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday. The match starts at 2pm.
Third team beaten againNewport’s first team inflicted a ten wicket defeat over Ventnor’s third eleven in Saturday’s Harwoods League match at Steephill. Stuart Gurney (47) and Tom Dye (75) made short work of Ventnor’s total of 155-8 (Billy Clarke 46) to canter to victory inside 23 overs.
The two teams meet again on Saturday in the League Cup at Newport.
Shanklin are the visitors to Steephill this Sunday in the first round of the Island Webservices Senior Cup. The match starts at 2pm.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
