Ventnor produced another outstanding performance to dispatch leaders Sarisbury Athletic in convincing fashion in Saturday’s Southern Premier League Division 1 clash at Allotment Road.
After the eye-catching 110 run win, Ben Woodhouse’s side have emerged as title contenders. They now trail Rob Franklin’s Sarisbury team by just a handful of points with 3 matches remaining, having secured a 6th successive victory.
Batting first, Ventnor were dealt an early setback with the dismissal of Dineth Thimodya for just 16. Josh Carpenter contributed 41 before a key fifth wicket stand of 68 between Will Mew and Alex Stogdon helped steady the innings from 68-4. Mew smashed five fours and five sixes in a rapid 59 from 39 balls, with Stogdon adding 28.
Late order contributions from Archie Lucy (24), Charlie Calloway (15) and Thomas Southcott (11 not out) pushed the total to 211 all out.
Ventnor’s bowling attack then dominated. An inspired opening spell from Lucy saw the removal of Tom Morton and Ricky Rawlins, before Thimodya and George Watts further damaged the hosts’ top order. From 32-4, the pressure continued as Dan Cox (3-27), Calloway (1-13) and Stogdon (1-6) cleaned up the remainder of the line-up, dismissing Sarisbury for 101. Lucy finished with figures of 3-15.
Sarisbury Athletic 101 all out Ventnor 211 all out Ventnor won by 110 runs
Ventnor host fourth-placed Fair Oak at Steephill on Saturday (12:30 start), followed by away trips to Hambledon and Havant in what is shaping up to be a dramatic end to the season.
CENTURY MAN SHORT SHINES IN LOSING EFFORT
- Ethan Short
Ventnor’s 2nd team lost a hard-fought Hampshire League clash against Bramshaw by 2 wickets at Steephill on Saturday.
After being put in to bat, the home side slumped to 63-7. But captain Ben Davies and Ethan Short mounted a remarkable recovery, adding 162 runs in an unbroken eighth wicket stand. Short scored a maiden century, striking eight fours and five sixes in an innings of 101 from 87 balls. Davies supported with a composed 50.
Chasing 225-7, Bramshaw lost early wickets to Chris Russell and Kevin Cooper. A crucial knock of 70 from skipper Tom Arnold kept them on course. Although Russell and Short returned to claim 3 wickets between them, the visitors reached their target with 17 balls to spare.
Ventnor 2nds 225/7 Bramshaw 229/8 Bramshaw won by 2 wickets
Ventnor II travel to Lymington II on Saturday, before wrapping up their Division 2B campaign with home matches against Ryde and Havant.
PARKER AND LEGG STAR IN 112-RUN VICTORY
Skipper Gary Legg led from the front with a well-made 87 in Ventnor’s total of 195-8 against Wight Whizzers in the Island League Division One.
James Curtis (28) and Harrison McQuillan (23) added useful runs in support.
In reply, Wight Whizzers were dismissed for just 83. Jackson Parker took 3 wickets, with Curtis, McQuillan and Rafe Hawkins each claiming 2 in a dominant 112-run win.
Ventnor 3rds 195/8 Wight Whizzers 83 all out Ventnor 3rds won by 112 runs
VENTNOR IV BEATEN BY 7 WICKETS AT NEWCLOSE
Ventnor’s youthful fourth team fell to a 7 wicket defeat in their Island League Division 2 match against Newport II at Newclose.
Harry Charlesworth top scored with 17 in a total of 94. Lucas Cotton claimed 2 wickets, but the home side eased to victory.
Newport 2nds 95/3 Ventnor 94 all out Newport won by 7 wickets
BACK-TO-BACK TONS FOR SHORT IN SPECIAL WEEKEND
Ethan Short capped off a memorable weekend by scoring a second century in as many days during Sunday’s President’s Day fixture.
Having never previously reached three figures, the 23-year-old followed up Saturday’s maiden ton with an outstanding 110, featuring twelve fours and six sixes. His innings helped the President’s XI secure a narrow 12 run win.
President’s XI 177; Ventnor XI 165 (Jack Powell 35, Dineth Thimodya 24) President’s XI win by 12 runs
