Ventnor continued their encouraging start to the season with an excellent victory over old adversaries Lymington in Saturday’s ECB Southern Electric Premier Division clash at the Sports Ground.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Ian Hilsum’s side edged home by just one wicket in a thrilling finish. With the last wicket pair of Rob Snell and Mark Holmes together, ten runs were still required from the final over but against the odds, the Islanders clinched a memorable win when Holmes hammered Simon Beetham’s penultimate delivery through the covers the boundary.
There seemed little hint of the drama to come after James Cheek had struck a fine 42 at the top of the order and even when Chris Ridley’s invaluable and disciplined innings ended at 57 the visitors still looked likely winners. From 148-5 however, Lymington spinner Darren Cowley triggered a collapse as four wickets fell for fourteen runs before Snell and Holmes rescued the day.
This latest success makes it two wins from the opening three games for Ventnor who sit in fourth place in the early season table. League leaders Bashley visit Newclose
Ventnor take on Liphook & Ripsley on Sunday in the first round of the Southern Electric Twenty20 Cup at Steephill. The match starts at 15:00.
