An understrength Ventnor were defeated by five wickets in Saturday’s ECB Premier Division clash with second placed Havant at Newclose.
Morning rain meant the final match in the time format was reduced to a 47 overs a side contest with Havant inviting the Islanders to bat first on winning the toss.
The home team suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Tom Friend, the Premier Division Cricketer of the month, courtesy of a fine slip catch by Robert Gibson with only 13 runs on the board. Michael Bates, on his home debut, joined Jake George but when the Hampshire wicket keeper departed for 15, the visitors spin attack took charge. Although George went on to hit a patient 53 and Neil Westhorpe 34, the innings subsided disappointingly, the last four wickets falling for the addition of only one run with more than two overs remaining. Chris Morgan (5-44) and Steve Matthews (4-44) did the damage to dismiss Mark Holmes’ side for 151.
At 63-1 in reply (Ben Walker 43), the title challengers seemed untroubled but the introduction of Ian Hilsum and Marc-Antony induced a wobble. The spin duo each took two wickets to reduce the mainlanders to 92-5 but despite their efforts, Stuart Ransley’s unbeaten 37 saw his side home with nine overs and four wickets in hand.
Ventnor travel to Alton on Saturday as the season reverts to a 50 overs a side format for the remaining four weeks of the season.
