Ventnor clinched a remarkable 3 wicket win over Hook & Newnham Basics in Saturday’s Southern Premier League Division 1 clash at Steephill.
Replying to the visitor’s total of 259, the home side were in all sorts of trouble at 49-5 and staring at a heavy defeat when Henry Edwards, the former Scotland Under 19 international, joined Dan Cox.
In an extraordinary turnaround, Edwards blazed 18 fours and 2 sixes in a marvellous innings of 108 from just 71 deliveries. It was Edwards’ maiden century for Ventnor in a partnership of 180 for the 6th wicket with the disciplined Dan Cox whose fine supporting knock of 89 from 138 balls continued his impressive early season form.
When Edwards was dismissed, Cox edged his side close to victory before Archie Lucy (9 not out) and Chris Russell (4 not out) saw their side to a memorable win with 8 balls remaining.
Earlier in the day, Ventnor had struggled to contain the scoring rate but key mid-innings spells from young off spinner Thomas Southcott (3-45) Dineth Thimodya (2-37), Dan Cox (1-43) and the dismissal of Neville for 69 by Mark Holmes got the hosts back in contention before Chris Russell mopped up the tail.
Ventnor 260/7 Hook & Newnham Basics 259 all out Ventnor won by 3 wickets
The win took Ventnor into 2nd place in the embryonic league table ahead of an away match at Totton & Eling.
VENTNOR VANQUISHED IN SUNDAY T20 CUP
Ventnor lost by just 4 runs in their opening Southern League T20 Cup clash at Fair Oak on Sunday.
In a low scoring affair on a tricky pitch, Ventnor’s spin attack kept the home side in check with Dan Cox (3-18) Thomas Southcott (2-18) and Dineth Thimodya (1-16) ensuring the visitors were chasing only 110 to win.
However, Ventnor found the going equally difficult and despite 41 from the consistent Dan Cox and 25 from Will Mew, they fell just short with the run out of Cox in the final over decisive.
Fair Oak 109/7 Ventnor 105/8 Fair Oak won by 4 runs
Old Tauntonians are the visitors to Steephill on Sunday 15 June in the second of four South Group fixtures.
2ND SUCCESSIVE CENTURY FOR BLACKMAN AS VENTNOR HAMMER HYTHE
Ventnor’s 2nd team made it 3 wins from 4 games after a convincing 199 run win at Hythe & Dibden in Hampshire League Division 2B on Saturday.
After an uncertain start which saw the visitors lose three quick wickets, a recovery was led by Martin Blackman and Toby Noyes. Their partnership of 120 for the 4th wicket was decisive before 20-year-old Noyes fell for a hard hit 53, including 5 boundaries and 4 sixes, 2 of which disappeared out of the ground
Veteran Blackman followed up his century of the previous week with another superb ton and with support from Jack Powell (33) and Kevin Cooper (23), Ventnor rattled up 295-7 from 45 overs.
Any hopes the hosts harboured of a successful run chase were as good as over after a terrific opening spell from Charlie Calloway. The right arm seamer took 5-25 and with fellow new ball bowler Ethan Short claiming 2-13, the home team were dismissed for 99, Toby Noyes chipping in with the final 2 wickets.
Hythe & Dibden 99 all out Ventnor 2nds 295/8
Ben Davies’s 2nd placed team welcome Dorset side Winton to Steephill on Saturday for a 13:00 start.
PRICE HITS A TON IN VENTNOR 3RDS DERBY WIN
Mark Price led Ventnor’s 3rd team to a comprehensive 8-wicket win over Shanklin & Godshill II at Westhill in the Island Senior Cup Group B.
Steve Egerton-Read hit a fine 103 for the home side in their score of 215-6, but his efforts were to no avail as the experienced Price struck an impressive 108 and Souvik Sanyal 62 in an unbroken century partnership.
Shanklin & Godshill 2nds 215/6 Ventnor 3rds 217/2
Ventnor 3rds return to Island League Division One action on Saturday to face Newport’s first team at Newclose.
FRED WINTER CUP WIN FOR VENTNOR 4TH TEAM
Ventnor’s 4th team won by 35 runs against Northwood’s second eleven in Saturday’s Group A match in the Fred Winter Cup.
Adam Goulding hit an impressive 71 and Jess Glover 38 in a century opening partnership before a fine half century from young Alfie Toulson and 26 from skipper Nick Dobson saw their side to 223-3 from 35 overs.
The Northwood reply benefitted from 60 extras but 2 wickets apiece from Jack Charlesworth, Matteo Burgess and Alfie Toulson helped Ventnor dismiss the Park Road side for 188.
Ventnor 4ths 223/3 Northwood 2nds 118 all out
Ventnor 4ths go to Westhill on Saturday for a League 2 fixture with Shanklin & Godshill’s 3rd team.
VENTNOR UNDER-15s BATTLE THROUGH TO FINAL
A few days after Ventnor’s Under 13 team made it through to the County Cup Final at Steephill on Monday 9 June, the Under 15 Hurricanes followed suit, producing a convincing display in their cup semi-final against Cowes on Friday.
Monty Borman (3-12) and Toby Morgan (3-15) were the pick of the bowlers in restricting the visitors to 75-8, a total skipper Jess Glover (20) and Isaac Borman (20) knocked off inside 13 overs to lead their side to a nine wicket win.
It is the fifth year in a row that the Under 15’s have reached the County Final which will be held at Newclose on Wednesday 4 June at 6pm. Ryde Rattlers will provide the opposition.
IN OTHER GAMES…
Ventnor Women victorious: Ventnor Women continued their league campaign with a confident 7-wicket win over Arreton at Steephill on Thursday. Arreton reached 91-2 from their 20 overs, a total the home side passed with 5 overs to spare.
Ventnor U11s beat Bembridge: Ventnor’s youngsters won by 77 runs in their under 11 fixture at home to Bembridge on Sunday.
2 Ventnor victories in 2 friendlies: James Curtis made a fluent 42 and Ethan Short a match winning half century as Ventnor successfully overhauled London tourists’ Kings Road total of 170 at Steephill on Sunday.
Batting first on Monday against Long Tales, Ventnor’s Jinu Karileyil Poulose thumped an unbeaten 68 and Ethan Short 42 in their score of 199. Poulose then took two wickets and Aussie Sean Turner three in their side’s 57-run win.
