A magnificent partnership of 201 between Travis Head and Ollie Mills led Ventnor to a terrific eight wicket win over early season pace-setters Bashley in Saturday’s ECB Southern Electric Premier Division clash at Newclose.
Coming together at 0-1 after James Cheek had departed in the first over, the teenage pair batted outstandingly, initially seeing off the new ball threat of Andy Neal and Kevin Nash before upping the scoring rate in the final 20 overs to see their side home in thrilling fashion.
Mills’s splendid 124 ball knock of 84 was another example of his excellent temperament and technique while Head’s marvellous, unbeaten innings of 142 demonstrated just why the Australia under 19 international is rated so highly. The left hander thumped seventeen boundaries to all parts of Newclose in his 143 ball stay, and his late innings acceleration saw Ventnor home with 16 balls to spare, skipper Ian Hilsum keeping him company as their target of 242 was reached.
The visitors had at one point threatened to set the hosts a more formidable challenge but with spin duo Jamie Miller (2-41) and Head (2-48) slowing their progress, they slipped from 90 without loss to 147-5. The run out of the impressive Simon Watkins for 51 with four overs remaining was ultimately significant with the New Forest side closing on 241-7 from their 50 overs.
This latest success, a third victory in four closely contested matches, lifts the Islanders into third place ahead of Saturday’s visit to Bournemouth.
In other news…
Liphook and Ripsley failed to raise a side for Sunday’s Southern Electric T20 clash at Steephill, giving Ventnor a walkover into round two where they will face Hambledon at Steephill on Sunday 9th June.
