Thanks to Graeme for sending through the latest results from thje Ventnor Cricket Club.
If you have a sporting event that youd like to report on via VB get in touch. Ed
VENTNOR HEAD FOR FLOODLIT ROSE BOWL AFTER THRILLING SEMI FINAL VICTORY
In what promises to be one of the most memorable moments in their long history, Ventnor Cricket Club will step out under the Rose Bowl floodlights later this month in the final of the Southern Electric Twenty20 Cup. Charlie Freeston’s side secured their place in the showpiece event after a thrilling one run win over Andover in a high scoring semi final at Steephill on Sunday.
The Islanders will face Lymington on Wednesday 19 August after the New Forest side comfortably defeated Portsmouth in the other tie at the Sports Ground. The friendly but competitive rivalry between the two clubs has lasted more than three decades but never before have the old adversaries faced each other on such a high profile occasion.
The Lymington side has a strong Island connection with James Lucy and Robert Lammiman, formerly of Shanklin and Tommy Barton, once of Ryde Cavaliers, likely to feature.
The semi final at Steephill was a magnificent advert for the shortened but increasingly popular version of the game. In front of a 250 plus crowd, many of whom had witnessed the quarter final drama against Bournemouth, Ventnor almost had glory snatched from them in a frantic, tension filled climax but held their nerve to clinch a marvellous win.
On a sunny afternoon, Ventnor, in royal blue, navy and gold, took first use of a hard, good looking pitch but made an uncertain start as Danny Briggs, fresh from his England Under 19 exploits, had his stumps re-arranged by Roger Miller. Neil Westhorpe took the score to 35 before skying a catch Mark Miller for 14, bringing Ian Hilsum and Matt Compton together. The pair batted superbly, adding 53 in quick time as Ventnor passed 100 from only eleven overs. Hilsum perished for 26 but left hander Compton went on to hit a fine 58 from only 57 deliveries in partnership with Martin Blackman, whose impressive 24 helped the score to 145 before both departed in quick succession. The late innings momentum was maintained by Nono Pongolo (19) and Mark Fletcher (12) however, as the home side set reached a challenging 180-9 from their 20 overs.
Needing to score at nine runs an over, Andover gave immediate notice of their intentions as Charlie Freeston’s first over cost 15. Importantly, though, Ventnor’s skipper also trapped Taylor lbw in that over and when Pongolo accounted for Alan Hooper 16 runs later, the canary-clad visitors were 31-2.
The introduction of Danny Briggs to the attack further hampered the Premier 1 side, the Ventnor teenager yielding just six runs from a three over spell before he produced a terrific throw from the deep to run out Roger Miller for 27 to leave the visitors on 75-3. When Marc Allen held on to a skyer off Ian Hilsum to dismiss the dangerous Mark Miller thirty runs later, there seemed no way back for Andover who required 70 from the remaining seven overs.
With nothing to lose, Australian Mike Stretton launched an attack on the home side to blast his side back into contention. He went from 43 to 69 in just five deliveries before Briggs returned to dismiss the New South Wales man for an impressive 71. A fine catch by Mark Whyte accounted for Matt Hooper but with Wahid Khan hitting a succession of boundaries to keep his side in the hunt, the final over arrived with Andover needing 18 runs for victory and four wickets in hand.
The opening two deliveries bowled by Marc Allen went for six and four and with the tension mounting amidst scrambled runs and frenetic fielding, three were required from the final ball. Despite the pressure, Ventnor’s young paceman held his nerve to restrict Khan and Jonty Hadfield to just two runs, prompting great celebrations both on and off the field as a night under the lights became a reality!
The Club are arranging transport to the game which starts at 7pm. Anyone interested in travelling should contact Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023.
SATURDAY WASHED OUT
The Saturday league cricket was washed out with only the second team making a start at Southampton Community in the Hampshire League. That match lasted eight overs before the umpires called a halt.
THIS WEEKEND
On Saturday, the first team travel to Hursley Park, looking to maintain their lead in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2, while the second team host IBM Hursley in Hampshire League Division 4. Rob Snell’s side also go into the match as League leaders.
ISLAND WEBSERVICES CUP FINAL
Ventnor take on Northwood in the final of the Island Webservices Senior Cup at Newclose on Sunday.
Ventnor, who beat Ryde in last year’s final are likely to name the side which beat Andover in the Twenty20 semi final, while Northwood will hope to field the team that has taken them to the top of the Harwood’s League.
The match starts at 2pm.
LASHINGS TICKETS ON SALE
Ventnor are gearing up for another great day as the superstars of Lashings World XI come to Steephill on Sunday 23 August at 2.30pm.
Spectator tickets priced at £7.00 for adults (£8.00 if bought on the day) and £3 for under 15’s are now on sale at Ventnor’s Clubhouse or from Hose Rhodes and Dickson in High Street, Ventnor.
Marquee tickets, priced at £36 + vat to include lunch and entertainment, are available from Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023 or 01983 740131.
