At Newclose Cricket Ground on Saturday, Ventnor defeated Hampshire Academy by 95 runs to clinch a fifth win in their last seven Southern Electric Premier Division games and at the same time preserve their place at the top level of south coast club cricket.
To achieve safety with one game remaining is a superb achievement, given the Islanders were rooted to the bottom of the table for much of the season and written off as relegation certainties in some quarters.
Key to the recovery has been an indomitable team spirit, the return of several key players midway through the season and the captaincy qualities of Mark Holmes.
James Cheek was central to victory over the Hampshire youngsters. Coming in at number 7 with his side struggling on 87-5, the right hander held the innings together with a fine 89 ball knock of 58 not out and in partnership with Holmes who made 18, ensured Ventnor set a competitive total of 199-9 after Henry Bartlett (34), Jake George (28) Tom Friend (19) had been dismissed earlier in the afternoon.
After Holmes had dismissed former colleague Ben Duggan for 2, Friend (3-19) and Adam Wilson (4-21) produced inspired spells to wreck any chances of an Academy win, only Felix Organ with 51 offering much resistance. Danny Briggs with 2-26 mopped up the tail as the visitors could only manage 104, Cheek capping an impressive display by claiming two outstanding catches with the gloves and four in all.
Ventnor close their campaign at Lymington on Saturday.
CRUCIAL WIN KEEPS VENTNOR ON TRACK
Ventnor’s destiny is in their own hands after a vital 27 run win at New Milton II eased them clear of the three relegation places in Hampshire League Division 1.
A win for Ben Woodhouse’s second team over Burridge II in Saturday’s final game at Steephill will secure their safety.
At Fernhill, a fine partnership of 106 for the second wicket between Marc-Antony Eysele with an impressive 58 and Jacobus Hooneberg, who hit a fluent 66, underpinned a total of 251 from 50 overs, Hugh Calloway making 33 and Toby Corbin 28.
A fine spell from seamer Corbin made early in-roads as New Milton collapsed to 40-5 in pursuit of their target. Wakefield (54) and Baker (33) led a late innings recovery but their efforts were not to deny Ventnor victory, Corbin finishing with 4-42.
ATTRILL LEADS VENTNOR TO PROMOTION
Ventnor’s third team are celebrating promotion from Hampshire League Division 4 South East after a three wicket win over Challengers of Gosport at Steephill on Saturday.
Fourteen year old Ben Attrill was the hero, batting with a maturity which belied his years to lead his team to victory. The youngster held the innings together as wickets fell around him, finishing unbeaten on a fine 53 as he and Dave Cox (11 not out) overhauled the visitors total of 127. Nathan Sprengel made 17 at the top of the order while earlier Chris Hebberd (3-24), Dave Cox (2-5) and Ben Attrill (2-26) had done the damage with the ball.
To achieve promotion in their first season in the Hampshire League is an excellent achievement for a Ventnor side whose mixture of youth and experience has served them well.
UNDER 19’S FRUSTRATED
The miserable weather on Sunday led to the cancellation of Ventnor’s Nat West under 19 T20 double header with Calmore and Fawley.
Ventnor cannot qualify for the final stages of the competition but will be keen to participate again next year.
