COMPTON THE HERO AS VENTNOR WIN AGAIN
Ventnor maintained pole position in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 with a comprehensive 102 run win at Liphook & Ripsley on Saturday.
This excellent victory nudges the Islanders a little further from nearest challengers Rowledge, whose home match fell victim to the weather.
Third placed Andover won to maintain their push towards the top, making Ventnor’s visit to London Road on Saturday week and the clash with Rowledge a fortnight later potentially decisive affairs.
Saturday’s win at Ripsley Park owed much to the efforts of Matt Compton and John Birchall. Talented left hander Compton batted throughout the innings on a predictably damp surface to hit a fine unbeaten 97, despite being hampered by injury which may keep him out of Saturday’s match with Havant at Steephill. Birchall came in at 25-2 after Neil Westhorpe and Ryan Shutte had departed to hit 40 crucial runs before Ian Hilsum (21) and Rob Snell (16no) helped Compton push the score to 212-6 from 50 overs.
With the weather closing in, Ventnor quickly made in-roads into the Liphook top order with Mark Holmes dismissing Tom Cledwyn. Birchall and Chris Russell then inflicted further damage with teenager Russell, in the side because of injuries to Tom Friend and Andy Whyte, grabbing 3-17 in a fine ten over spell. Birchall followed his contribution with the bat with a telling 4-33 before Rob Snell, still struggling with a side injury, mopped up with tail with 2-16 as the home side crashed to 110 all out.
Charlie Freeston, absent at a wedding last week, returns for Saturday’s clash with Havant but Andy Whyte, Mark Fletcher, Tom Friend and Matt Compton are injury doubts.
SECOND TEAM CONVINCING WINNERS AGAIN
Ventnor’s second team are way out in front in Hampshire League Division 4 South East after a massive 184 run win over Rowner at Steephill on Saturday. The highlight of the afternoon was a maiden century for Ventnor’s Danny Briggs. The 16 year old, ‘loaned’ back to the Islanders by Hampshire Academy for some batting practice, duly obliged with a fine knock of 101 as he and Ben Woodhouse with a fluent 67 helped their team to 239-9.
Not for the first time this season, the opposition batting proved pretty woeful, the Gosport side crashing to 55 all out, David Beven (2-21) Briggs (2-12) and Caleb Whitefield (3-21) doing the damage.
THIRD TEAM SUFFER HEAVY DEFEAT AT WHITECROFT
A fine unbeaten 104 from Andy Potts led Whitecroft to an eight wicket win over a young Ventnor third team on Saturday. Chasing a Ventnor total of 136 (Steve Williams 33, Lloyd Parker 32) the Whitecroft dominated the innings as his side cantered to victory.
CUP SEMI FINAL FALLS VICTIM TO THE WEATHER
Ventnor’s Senior Cup clash with Shanklin failed to beat the weather on Sunday. The two clubs try again on Thursday (today) at Steephill at 2.30pm
LASHINGS WORLD XI NAME LIKELY SIDE FOR VENTNOR VISIT
Ventnor will be facing a side packed with world class cricketers when Lashings World XI visit Steephill on Sunday 12 August at 2.30pm.
Richie Richardson, the great former West Indian batsman, will captain the side which will also include compatriots Tino Best, Vasbert Drakes and the legendary Alvin Kallcharran. Also appearing are Nantie Hayward (South Africa) Henry Olonga (Zimbabwe) Chris Cairns (New Zealand) Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka) Greg Blewett (Australia) Clare Connor (England)
It is hoped that Sanath Jayasuriya, the brilliant Sri Lankan batsman, will complete the line up.
