Thanks to Graeme for this latest report from Ventnor Cricket Club, in his own words. Ed
Skipper Hilsum leads from the front
A marvellous innings from Ventnor skipper Ian Hilsum provided the base for a potentially significant 60 run win over second placed Hook & Newnham Basics in the Southern Electric Premier League at Newclose on Saturday.
With the season at the half-way mark, Ventnor have a 31 point lead at the top of Division 2 as they seek an immediate return to the top flight after the disappointment of last year’s relegation.
Hilsum, whose knock of 107 was one his very best, came from only 114 deliveries, contained 13 boundaries and featured in a 158 run partnership with Adam Hose who made a fine 72. With Neil Westhorpe and Mark Fletcher chipping in with 39 and 21 respectively, the league leaders closed their innings on a formidable 276-6 from 50 overs.
Ventnor assumed control
The visitors got off to a terrific start in pursuit of their target, reaching 90 without loss from only 19 overs before Cole McConchie had left hander Ben Thane caught by Mark Whyte. From there, the innings struggled to regain momentum and when Matt Love was caught and bowled by Southern League debutante, Adam Wilson for 50, Ventnor assumed control.
Wilson went on to take 2-42 in an impressive ten over stint and with Cole McConchie (2-36) and David Beven (3-28) taking wickets at regular intervals, the home team had restricted Basics to 216-8 by the close.
Hambledon are next up at Newclose on Saturday.
Second team crash to heavy defeat
Ventnor second team’s promotion prospects took a knock after a poor all-round display saw them heavily defeated by 157 runs at Hook & Newnham Basics II in Hampshire League Division 2 on Saturday.
A strong looking side was shot out for just 129 inside 26 overs with the home team’s Alex Cates taking 5-29. The top seven batsmen managed just 49 runs between them before Charlie Calloway (26) Mark Holmes (23) and debutant Jack Bartlett (22) at least made sure the total passed 100.
Earlier in the day, Ventnor’s attack, which conceded 27 wides, was put to the sword by Graham Buckingham whose knock of 91 underpinned Basics’ huge total of 286-8 from 45 overs.
Ventnor travel to Hungerford on Saturday looking to put a disappointing performance and result behind them.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
