Thanks to Graeme for this latest news from Ventnor Cricket Club. Ed
Newly promoted Sarisbury Athletic defeated Ventnor by 34 runs in Saturday’s Southern Electric Premier Division clash at Allotment Road.
An impressive new ball spell from Adam Wilson gave Ventnor the upper hand in the early overs, the paceman taking two wickets as Sarisbury struggled to 27-2. However, Zimbabwean Ryan Burl with a fluent 79 and Ryan Covey (62) laid the foundations for a late innings push which saw the hosts post a formidable total of 287-6 from their 50 overs, Matt Journeaux making an unbeaten 46.
The Ventnor response was led by Rob Snell and Sean Willis with the pair adding 126 for the second wicket before left hander Snell departed for a fine 51. Australian Willis also impressed with 53 but his dismissal at 143 triggered a flurry of wickets which saw the youthful visitors slip to 168-7.
Stand-in skipper Neil Westhorpe with a determined knock of 45 helped ensure maximum batting points with 17 year old Jadon Buckeridge (18) and Wilson (15 not out) making useful contributions but the home side emerged comfortable winners.
Calloway the hero as Ventnor claim first win
An outstanding all-round display from Charlie Calloway inspired Ventnor’s second team to their first victory of the season in a fluctuating encounter with Portsmouth & Southsea in Hampshire League Division 1 at Steephill.
Skipper Ben Woodhouse with 26 gave the home team a handy start before the visitors, relegated from the Southern League last season, pegged Ventnor back. George Niemiec grafted his way to 20 but at 85-5 the innings needed a recovery job. Mark Whyte, making a welcome return to the side, contributed 21 but when he departed, it was Calloway who took centre stage. The right hander thumped five fours and four sixes in a highly responsible unbeaten knock of 60, working effectively with a youthful tail to lead his side to 205-9 from their 50 overs.
Portsmouth & Southsea looking for a third successive win, were undone by a superb opening spell from Calloway. The Ventnor seamer ripped out the top five batsman and with off spinner Charlie Sammons taking 3-36, the visitors were indebted to Matt Smith whose unbeaten 64 kept his side in the contest.
With the tension building, young George Willis returned to the attack to claim the ninth wicket, before Calloway fittingly ended the match at 181 to cap a fine individual performance and clinch an excellent win for his side.
Third team continue winning start
Ventnor won their third successive match in Hampshire League Division Four South East with a convincing eight wicket win at Gosport IV on Saturday.
Fourteen year old Ben Attrill was the stand out bowler for Ventnor, taking 4-14, supported by Chris Hibberd (3-17) as the home team were dismissed for only 79.
Such a modest total posed few problems for Ali Cotton’s side who reached their target inside 16 overs, Dan Cox making an unbeaten 27 and Sam McQueen 33.
Whyte’s 61 helps defeat tourists
A knock of 61 from Ross Whyte, supported by 33 from Jacobus ’Cano’ Hooneberg and 36 from Martin Blackman saw Ventnor home by six wickets against tourists Long Tales at Steephill on Sunday.
The hosts were chasing a modest target of 154 after Ben Attrill (3-14) and Isaac Herridge (2-26) had done most of the damage.
Remembering Keith Newbery
A match to honour the memory of Keith Newbery, a much respected journalist, writer, sportsman and vice president of Ventnor Cricket Club who died in August last year, takes place at Steephill on Sunday.
The match, which will see an Island Over 50’s side take on Keith’s XI, starts at 2pm and a warm welcome is extended to all.
Tough task ahead
Ventnor face a tough trip to South Wilts in round three of the Royal London Club Championship on Sunday.
All League and Cup cricket this weekend:
Sat 30 May – Southern Electric Premier Division:
Ventnor v Bashley at Newclose at 1pm
Sat 30 May – Hampshire League Division 1:
Locks Heath v Ventnor II at 1pm
Sat 30 May – Hampshire League Division 4 South East:
Ventnor III v Fareham & Crofton IV at Steephill at 2pm
Sun 31 May – Royal London National Club Championship:
South Wilts v Ventnor at 1pm
Image: samhames under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license
