The latest news from Ventnor Cricket Club.
MILLER’S EFFORTS NOT ENOUGH
Ventnor face a real battle to retain their Premier Division status after a four wicket defeat at fellow strugglers Lymington at the Sports Ground on Saturday. With just three games to go, Ventnor need a victory to haul themselves clear of the bottom placed New Forest club who edged closer to the Islanders after their hard won success.
After being invited to bat first, Ventnor were indebted to Roger Miller whose fine innings of 94 ensured the visitors had a competitive total to defend. The former Havant all rounder cracked ten fours and two sixes in a 115 ball knock with only Sean Nowak (22) and Charlie Freeston (13 not out) providing support in a total of 215-8 from 50 overs.
Lymington were given a excellent start in reply, as Tommy Barton (59) and Morgan Rushbrook (33) led them past 100 for the loss of only Glyn Treagus. The home side, chasing a reduced target of 208 from 46 overs after a rain break, were then pegged back by Roger Miller whose spell of 3-21 from an impressive ten over spell got Ventnor back in the game. Ian Hilsum and Nowak then made further breakthroughs and at 172-5 the match was in the balance.
However, crucial knocks from Khan (31) and Pain (21 not out) proved decisive and although Ventnor took a sixth wicket, the hosts eventually got home with nine balls to spare.
Freeston’s side take on the Hampshire Academy at Newclose on Saturday at 1pm while Lymington face second placed South Wilts at Bemerton.
SECOND TEAM CLINCH PROMOTION AFTER CONVINCING VICTORY
At Steephill, Ventnor’s second team clinched promotion from Hampshire League Division 3 after a nine wicket win over Highfield. The aim now is to win the remaining three games and finish the season as undefeated champions.
Mark Woodhouse’s side made short work of the visitors as Kyle Sharp (3-24) and teenage leg spinner James Cheek with an impressive 5-30 dismissed them for 121.
After Richard Wilson departed for 28, sixteen year old Henry Bartlett with a fine half century and young Cheek (31 not out) led their side to an emphatic victory with 20 overs to spare.
The side travel to Longparish on Saturday.
THIRD TEAM WIN IN CUP AT CAVALIERS
Fifteen year old left hander Jack Nicolaou hit a fine 41, Andy White 35
and Barney Tyler 30 as Ventnor totalled 225-8 in the Harwood’s League Cup at Smallbrook on Saturday.
The visitors ran out 40 run win winners after restricting the home team to 184-8 (Alex Loudon 40). Marcus Toms took 3-32 for Ventnor.
FLETCHER TON LEADS VENTNOR TO CUP SUCCESS
A terrific innings of 120 from Mark Fletcher was the highlight of Ventnor’s 191 run win over St Helens in the final of the Island Webservices Cup at Newclose on Sunday. The experienced right hander smashed 19 fours in a memorable knock as Ventnor, with Neil Westhorpe (45) and Sean Nowak (47) lending support, scored at almost seven runs an over. Chris Early did his best to stem the flow to finish with 6-56, but was unable to prevent Charlie Freeston’s side reaching 277-8 from their 40 overs.
The St Helens’ response hit the rocks as the pace of Nowak (4-17) ripped out the top order inside the opening eight overs. Lee Brown hit seven fours in an impressive 37 but lacked any support as David Beven (4-38) and Mark Holmes (2-5) wrapped up the innings for 86 to give Ventnor their third successive Webservices Cup final victory.
LASHINGS SET FOR NEWCLOSE VISIT
Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Harris will captain the Lashings World XI at Newclose on Sunday 22 August at 2.30pm. The squad will also include Australia’s Ian Harvey, West Indian legend Richie Richardson and another Kiwi international, Lou Vincent.
The Ventnor team will feature Gloucestershire’s Steve Snell, the Islander’s former wicket-keeper batsman.
Local training company HTP will sponsor the game.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
