No, the Ventnor Cricket Club are not the surprise announcement at Bestival – but to keep you occupied whilst you are waiting, here are the results and details of next fixture for the Cricket Club.
BLACKMAN LEADS VENTNOR TO IMPRESSIVE VICTORY
Ventnor maintained their challenge to leaders Burridge at the top of the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 with an impressive five wicket win over Hursley Park at Steephill on Saturday.
The visitors took first use of a rock hard pitch but suffered an immediate set back when Charlie Freeston trapped Storey lbw without a run on the board.
Hughes (26) and Wheeler (63) led a recovery before both fell victim to Ian Hilsum as they slipped to 101-3. The Ventnor leg spinner finished with 3-20 from an excellent 10 over stint, and although Davies hit 53 and McDermott an unbeaten 42 late in the innings, the Islanders were still able to restrict the Winchester based side to 221-6 from 50 overs.
Ventnor’s reply suffered an early set back when Mark Fletcher departed cheaply, and although Matt Compton show signs of a return to form with 31, the victory target looked a long way off at 76-3 with the prolific Neil Westhorpe also back in the pavilion.
It was Ian Hilsum who got the innings back on track and when he fell for a fluent 45, Martin Blackman took centre stage. The talented right hander hit nine fours and a six in a splendid unbeaten innings of 70 and with Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo supporting with 29, the pair added 73 to effectively win the match before Joby Wells and Blackman clinched victory with just nine balls remaining.
Charlie Freeston’s are on the road over the coming weekend. On Saturday, they travel to New Milton while on Sunday, take on Sarisbury Athletic in the first round of the Southern Electric Twenty/20 Cup.
FRIEND HITS TON IN SECOND TEAM ROMP
The second team were able to include Tom Friend for their Hampshire League fixture on Saturday and the teenager did not disappoint, crashing a superb century in the 240 thrashing of Lock’s Heath II.
The Ventnor all-rounder, who normally plays his Saturday cricket in the Birmingham League, was without a game after Bromsgrove’s match was rained off, prompting a call to skipper Rob Snell who found a place for him in the line up at the eleventh hour! Friend’s 106 and a fine knock of 76 from Richard Wilson led Ventnor to a massive 312-6 from 41 overs.
The shell shocked home team crashed to 72 all out in reply, Stuart Barbrook taking 5-8, Adam Hose 2-28 and Barney Tyler 2-29.
Fair Oak II are the visitors on Saturday.
