Ventnor’s ECB Southern Electric Premier Division clash with Totton & Eling ended in a ‘winning draw’ in favour of the Islanders at Newclose on Saturday.
On a hot and sunny morning, skipper Ian Hilsum took first use of a good looking pitch and saw openers Ollie Mills (45) and Jake George (33) give their side a 67 run start before the latter nicked a catch behind.
Australia under 19 international Travis Head carried on the good work – his knock of 53 included ten fours – before a mid-innings wobble saw them slip to 162-6. The innings was steadied by the seventh wicket pairing of Chris Ridley and Rob Snell who led a recovery to 259-8 from 64 overs, Snell making 24 and Ridley an invaluable 46 not out with further late order assistance from Adam Wilson (11 not out).
An impressive new ball spell from Wilson took out three of the visitors’ top four before Snell clean bowled Beresford for 22. At 110-5, the home team seemed set for a first victory in three games but knocks of 79 from Haggaty and 51 from Bungay, coupled with two dropped catches, denied Ian Hilsum’s side as the Eels survived on 214-8.
Nevertheless, Ventnor picked up 16 points to retain second place and keep in touch with leaders South Wilts who were held to a draw by bottom club Bournemouth.
Ventnor travel to Winchester based St Cross Symondians on Saturday as the all-day format continues.
Ventnor lose out in local derby
Ryde came out on top in Saturday’s Hampshire League Division 1 encounter at Harding Shute. In the first ever competitive match between the two clubs in the League, Ventnor were invited to bat first and were pegged back by an accurate Ryde attack which yielded only 55 runs from the opening 20 overs. Newcomer Marc-Antony Eysele (20) helped take the score to 78-1 but when Ben Woodhouse’s patient innings of 80 was ended by Andy Day’s sprawling catch, the visitors were 162-5 with only eight overs remaining.
Not for the first time this season, the innings was given a shot in the arm by skipper Mark Whyte whose unbeaten 41, aided by 19 from Martin Blackman and 14 from David Beven, pushed the score to 226-6 from 50 overs. Stuart Robertson took 2-52 for Ryde.
The home team lost Don Gordon to Toby Corbin early on, but from 70-3 skipper Lawrence Tolfrey hit 55 and Robert Hobbs 59 not out to lead their side to a comfortable five wicket win with two overs remaining.
Sixth placed Ventnor take on unbeaten league leaders Waterlooville at Steephill on Saturday at 1pm.
Third team back in action
Ali Cotton’s side take on Northwood in the Island League Division 1 at Park Road on Saturday.
Under 15s triumph in cup final
Ventnor produced an impressive performance to defeat Ryde by six wickets in the Under 15 County Cup Final at Steephill on Thursday.
Marcus Horton, Ben Attrill and Harry Ridley each took two wickets to help restrict the visitors to 102-9, a total Ventnor knocked off inside seventeen overs with Jadon Buckeridge (34) Ben Herridge (18) and Horton (23) seeing their side home.
Ventnor visit Sussex side Chippendale this Friday in the first round of the regional knock out stages.
South African visitors defeat Ventnor
Uplands College, from White River, Mpumalanga, were the visitors to Steephill on Sunday as part of their UK tour and ran out six wicket winners.
A fine innings of 81 from Charlie Calloway rescued Ventnor from 100-6 and with Alex Horton making 20, the home side reached 207 from their 40 overs. The South African under 18 side successfully chased down the target in their first ever visit to the Steephill bowl!
Walk In Whites set for 4 August
Ventnor’s main fund raising event of the year takes place on Sunday 4 August with a sponsored walk. The Club would be delighted to see as many members as possible taking part in the walk, which comprises two circular routes. The main walk is just under 5 miles long and takes in the Rugby Club and Golf Club, while the shorter version is around 2.5 miles.
Members will be receiving sponsorship forms in the post but for those not able to join us, there will be an invitation to sponsor an under 11 participant!
Please contact Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023 or the clubhouse on 01983 852506 for further details.
Image: Britanglishman under CC BY 2.0
