WEEKEND OF DISAPPOINTMENT AS THREE VENTNOR SIDES LOSE

Ventnor Cricket Club had a weekend to forget as all three sides lost their Saturday league matches.

The first team, already hit by long term injuries to Matt Compton and Martin Blackman were further weakened by the unavailability of Neil Westhorpe and Mark Fletcher for the visit of Burridge to Steephill in Southern Electric Premier League Division 2. The Hampshire side took first use of a good looking pitch but were in trouble on 22-2 as ‘Nono’ Pongolo and Andy Whyte made early in-roads. The visitors recovered to eventually post a total of 183 with Ankers (75) top scoring, David Beven being the most successful of the Ventnor bowlers with 3-24.
Ventnor’s reply began promisingly enough with Rob Snell and Ian Hilsum adding 29 before left hander Snell fell for 17. That decent start soon turned to dust, however, as a flurry of wickets saw the home team crash to 50-6. Hilsum and Andy Whyte attempted a recovery but when the opener departed for an impressive 40 there was no way back. Pace man Charlie Freeston, limited to bowling off spin by a knee injury, took his frustration out on the Burridge attack with an entertaining knock of 44, but despite his efforts, the Islanders were still defeated by 46 runs as Shannon Mascharenhas brought the all-rounder’s innings to an end.
Thanks are due to Graham Perks of the Winter Gardens for sponsoring the game.
Ventnor face a crucial visit to leaders Rowledge on Saturday. The Hampshire border side are unbeaten but the Islanders have a decent record at the village’s club ground and will be looking for a win to keep in touch.

FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON FOR SECOND TEAM
The second team’s excellent start to the season received a set back on Saturday after a four wicket loss at Mudeford II in Hampshire League Division 1 South. The defeat was enough to knock the Islanders off the top of the table and they will look to get back to winning ways against Rowner at Steephill on Saturday.
Without Patrick Morris due to injury, only Adam Wilson, Ross Edwards and the veteran Nigel Cox passed 20 as Ventnor struggled to 126 on a rain affected pitch. Mudeford also found runs hard to come by but eventually overhauled the modest target for the loss of six wickets, Olly Turpin returning 4-33 for the visitors.

THIRD TEAM DEFEATED BY GODSHILL
Another unbeaten record came to end on Saturday as Ventnor’s youthful third team lost to Godshill in Harwood’s League division 2. Chasing the village side’s total of 187-7, Ventnor were dismissed for 144, the in-form Jo Cotton hitting 60 and Rueben Friend 31.
Malcolm White’s side visit Northwood II in the League on Saturday.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY AT STEEPHILL!
As recently reported, Sunday 6 July provides a fantastic opportunity for football fans and particularly Manchester United supporters to have their photograph taken with the Barclays Premier League Trophy. The impressive piece of silverware will be at Ventnor Cricket Club between 1pm and 4pm and arrives courtesy of former Ventnor player Ben Davies, an employee of Barclays Bank in London, who won a competition to spend a day with the Trophy and two Minders!
The Club will not be providing a photographer so people will need to bring a camera. The charge per person will be just £2 and at Ben’s request, money raised from the event will go towards youth development at the Cricket Club and will be matched pound for pound by Barclays.

UPDATES FROM GAMES 14/15 JUNE:
Congratulations to the 1st XI on bouncing back from the previous weekend’s defeat to record an excellent five wicket win at New Milton.
The victory was enough to move us into second place in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 behind leaders Rowledge, who won their seventh successive game at home to Liphook. Mark Whyte invited New Milton to bat first on winning the toss and was rewarded when Mark Holmes dismissed both openers with only 30 runs on the board. Leg spinner Ian Hilsum with 3-43 and Charlie Freeston (2-45) made further inroads before the home team recovered to reach 193-9 from their 50 overs.
Ventnor’s reply began disappointingly with David Beven and Southern League debutant Darren Taylor both dismissed without scoring. However, from 12-2, Ian Hilsum and Neil Westhorpe repaired the damage in a terrific partnership of 138 before the latter departed for 58. Hilsum went on to score a splendid 89 before he was fourth out at 167, leaving Mark Fletcher and Charlie Freeston to score the runs needed for a welcome victory.
Burridge are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday.

MORRIS AND GEORGE LEAD VENTNOR TO ANOTHER WIN
The 2nd XI retained top spot in Division 1 South of the Hampshire League in a high scoring encounter with third placed Curdridge at Steephill on Saturday. Skipper Ross Edwards gave the visitors first use of a good looking pitch and they took full advantage to score 232-7 from 42 overs with Adam Wilson the pick of the Ventnor bowlers with 4-68.
The Ventnor response suffered an early setback when Olly Turpin departed with only 1 run on the board, but George Hatt (21) steadied the innings before he was dismissed to leave the home team on 57-2. That brought Patrick Morris and 14 year old Jacob George together and the pair batted superbly to add 84 for the third wicket. Morris cracked 9 fours in an excellent 78 while Portsmouth Grammar School pupil George underlined his promise with 8 boundaries in a fine knock of 56. There was still work to be done however, and it was Ashley Brett (24) and Lloyd Parker (13) who edged their side to the brink of victory before George Parker and Ben Clarke finished the job with 9 balls remaining.
The Club wish to thank Tinto’s Wine Bar for sponsoring the game. The second team travel to Mudeford on Saturday.

FEAST OF RUNS FOR VENTNOR
Ventnor’s Sunday side defeated Chalfont St Peter by 186 runs at Steephill. Peter Buckley and Nono Pongolo each hit 70 while David Beven made 59 in a total of 339-8. The visitors were dismissed for 153 in reply.

VENTNOR PREPARE FOR LASHINGS RETURN
The superstars of Lashings World XI return to Steephill Sunday 10 August, aiming for revenge after last year’s shock defeat in front of 1200 people!
Ventnor once again have tables for sale in a Corporate Hospitality Marquee at the sea end of the ground. Priced at £350.00 + vat for 10 people, further details can be obtained from Graeme Burnett on 01983 740131 or 07764405023

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