FREESTON BLAST LEADS VENTNOR TO EMPHATIC WIN
Charlie Freeston led Ventnor to a nine wicket win over Tichborne Park in Saturday’s Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 clash at Steephill. The pace man took a League best 6-31 as the visitors slipped to 103 all out inside 25 overs, then watched as his side knocked off the runs to extend their lead at the top to six points.
It was an afternoon when once again the sun shone on Steephill while League matches elsewhere along the South Coast fell victim to the weather. In fact, only one other fixture in Premier 2 survived and none in Premier 1 or 3.
Ventnor skipper Mark Whyte won the all important toss and predictably asked Tichborne to bat first on a pitch protected by the covers but still likely to provide the seam bowlers with plenty of assistance.
Gerrard and Allam took the score to 28 before Mark Holmes had the latter caught at slip by Matt Compton. Freeston then took centre stage to rip out the top order with an inspired spell of seam bowling from the pavilion end as the visitors crashed to 43-6. Paul Primmer, batting at seven, thumped four sixes in a quick fire 38 but when he became Freeston’s sixth victim at 81, Tom Friend and John Birchall polished off the tail to leave the Islanders needing just 104 to win.
Alex Lloyd and Neil Westhorpe gave their side a solid start and although Lloyd’s dismissal for 21 meant Ventnor were unable to claim the full 22 points,
Westhorpe (35no) and Ryan Shutte (40no) ensured there were no further losses as they saw their side home in just 19.2 overs.
Ventnor travel to Liphook and Ripsley on Saturday with both Mark Fletcher and Andy Whyte still absent through injury.
THIRD TEAM NARROWLY DEFEATED
The second team’s Hampshire League match at Holly Bank was cancelled but the third team’s fixture at Bembridge in Island League Division 2 went ahead.
McArthur with 85no led the village side to 184-6 but despite useful knocks of 47 from Mark Woodhouse and 32 from Ollie Turpin, the young Ventnor side fell six runs short.
HALF CENTURIES FOR SNELL AND FREESTON
Rob Snell and Charlie Freeston both hit 50’s as Ventnor successfully chased a target of 187 in Sunday’s friendly with Premier 3 side Fair Oak.
CUP SEMI FINALS THIS WEEKEND
Ventnor take on St Helens at Steephill on Sunday in the semi finals of the Island Webservices Senior Cup. Shanklin play GKN in the second semi. Both games start at 2pm.
The final takes place at Steephill on Sunday 19 August.
LASHINGS’ OLONGA SET TO ENTERTAIN GUESTS
Henry Olonga, the former Zimbabwe fast bowler, will have a dual role to play when Lashings World XI play at Ventnor on Sunday 12 August. Not only will the 31 year old be appearing in the familiar colours of Lashings, he will also be treating almost 400 Corporate Hospitality guests to his fantastic singing voice which last year brought a standing ovation from the packed Marquee.
The match starts at 2.30 and tickets are available from the Clubhouse and Hose Rhodes and Dickson in Ventnor, priced at £7.00 for adults if bought before the game (£8.00 on the day) and £3.00 for children – under 5’s go free.
