Branston leaves Ventnor in a pickle
Ventnor’s hopes of building on the previous weekend’s victory over Totton & Eling were dashed by a 58 run defeat at South Wilts on Saturday.
In their latest Southern Electric Premier Division ‘time game’, the Islanders were undone by South Wilts paceman Simon Branston who blasted out the top order in fine spell which reduced the visitors to 71-6.
Only Rob Snell with a battling, unbeaten 48, held up the home side’s victory charge with the left hander and David Beven adding 42 for the tenth wicket, pushing the score from 139-9 to 181 before the latter became Branston’s seventh victim.
Earlier in the day, Ventnor had stuck to their task well to restrict the second placed hosts to 239-9 from 57 overs, skipper Freeston returning a season’s best 5-64. James Hayward with 80 held the innings together after an uncertain start but ultimately the home team were comfortable winners.
Mid-table Havant are the visitors to Newclose on Saturday (11.30 start)
Last over agony for Ventnor
Ventnor bowed out of the Southern Electric Twenty Cup on Sunday but not before giving national Champions Bournemouth a real scare in a thriller at Steephill.
Batting first, the hosts suffered an early blow when Hampshire’s Danny Briggs departed cheaply but rallied to eventually total 128 from their 20 overs, Neil Westhorpe (36) Sean Nowak (29) and Roger Miller (36 not out) top scoring.
The talented visitors looked to be on their way to a comfortable win at 58-1 but the introduction of spin duo Briggs and David Beven gave the Islanders hope, the pair conceding just 27 runs from eight overs.
Bournemouth got back on track before the game took a further twist as Sean Nowak began the final over. With the Dorset side needing six runs with six wickets in hand, the South African quickie accounted for Nick Park for 66 and Chris Cahill from his opening two deliveries before a no ball yielded three runs. Ed Denham then struck the next ball to the boundary to clinch victory in an exciting finish.
Cheek hits 88 as Ventnor increase lead
In-form James Cheek crashed a fine 88 as a strong Ventnor batting line up totalled 262-9 at Vospers in Hampshire League Division 3 on Saturday. Young Cheek thumped 16 fours in his 101 ball knock with Mark Fletcher (48), Ben Woodhouse (28) and Martin Blackman (21) providing support.
Ventnor’s teenage attack of Henry Bartlett (3-30) Arthur Halsey (3-21) and Gary Cooper (4-35) then made short work of the task after tea, dismissing Vospers for just 104.
The unbeaten league leaders take on second placed St Cross at Steephill on Saturday (1pm start)
GKN inflict cup defeat on Ventnor
A terrific innings of 130 not out from Jack Bartlett was the highlight of GKN’s 255-5 in the Harwood’s League Cup at Steephill on Saturday.
Ventnor’s third team responded spiritedly but despite a splendid knock 98 from 16 year old Billy Clarke, fell 19 runs short.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
