The latest news from Ventnor Cricket Club.
VENTNOR SURVIVE PRITTIPAUL BLAST TO CLINCH A DRAW
Ventnor go into this weekend’s 50 overs a side basement battle with Lymington effectively 25 points ahead of the New Forest club after Saturday’s match with St Cross Symondians ended in a draw at Newclose.
With only one club relegated from the Premier Division, Ventnor know that a victory will give their survival hopes a massive boost with three matches remaining, particularly as Lymington still have to play title chasing Bournemouth and South Wilts.
In the last of eight games in the all day format, Ventnor again lost the toss but stuck to their task effectively once an 82 run opening partnership had been broken. George Adair when on to hit 75 before Hampshire’s Hamza Riazuddin became one of Roger Miller’s three leg before victims as the visitors reached 150-4 with 19 overs remaining.
That was as good as it got for the Islanders as Lawrie Prittipaul produced an innings of sheer brilliance to effectively bat Ventnor out of the game. The former Hampshire man smashed 14 fours and a six in a high class, unbeaten knock of 101 from only 70 deliveries to take the score to 299-4 from 59 overs.
Faced with both a daunting total and the pacy Riazuddin, Adam Hose and Richard Wilson got their heads down to ensure early wickets were not lost. The young openers compiled 98 vital runs for their side which provided a solid base from which to draw if not win the game. Hose’s departure for a fine 71 prompted the loss of the middle order as quick runs were chased to gain valuable batting points. Ian Hilsum’s impressive 48 got his side close to 200 before another flurry of wickets saw the home side suddenly eight down for 190. With skipper Freeston barely able to look, Mark Whyte and Southern League debutant James Cheek survived the final deliveries to clinch a crucial seven points for their side.
BARTLETT AND BLACKMAN LEAD VICTORY CHARGE
No such tension for the second team who continue their impressive march to the Hampshire League Division Three title.
Mark Woodhouse’s side maintained their one hundred per cent winning record with a nine wicket thumping of Hamble at Steephill on Saturday.
Henry Bartlett (2-23), Rob Snell (3-33) Kyle Sharp (2-36) and Darren Taylor (2-11) dismissed the visitors for 171, before a splendid unbroken partnership of 165 between young Bartlett who made a fine 77 and Martin Blackman with a season’s best 83 led their side home with sixteen overs to spare.
With four games remaining, starting with Highfield at home on Saturday, the table toppers will be aiming for a fourteenth consecutive win as the season reaches it’s climax.
VENTNOR FACE ST HELENS IN CUP FINAL
Holders Ventnor face St Helens in the final of the Island Webservices Senior Cup at Newclose on Sunday at 1.30pm.
HEAVY DEFEAT FOR THIRD TEAM
A much understrength third team crashed to a heavy defeat against Northwood’s first team at Park Road on Saturday. Chasing 287-3 with Chris Williams cracking a fine 125 and Nick Heelan an impressive 107, the visitors could only manage to score 35 in a disastrous reply. Steve Allwood and Ashley Goldsmith took five and four wickets respectively.
LASHINGS TICKETS SELLING WELL
Fans wanting to come along to the match with Ventnor and Lashings World XI at Newclose County Cricket Ground, Blackwater Road, Newport on Sunday 22 August at 2.30pm are being encouraged to buy their tickets in good time. Tickets, priced £10 for adults and £3 for children, are available from the clubhouses at both Ventnor and Newclose and also from Hose Rhodes and Dickson in Ventnor.
For more information, please contact Mike Scott on 824575 or Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023.
NOWAK HAMMERS KIWIS
Sean Nowak hammered 157 from just 103 balls and James Cheek 50 from 18 deliveries as Ventnor amassed 389 against London New Zealand at Steephill on Sunday. The visitors responded with 184 all out.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
