Ventnor A made it back-to-back Indoor Cup titles on Sunday evening (10th November) after devastating displays with the ball saw them overcome both Northwood B and St Helens during this season’s Finals Night.
The Steephill side were led in the final by captain Dan Cox, who returned figures of 2-16, with Will Mew (2-17) also claiming 2 wickets. Mark Hartnell top-scored for St Helens, making 22 out of a total of just 76, with Max Bushby-Harris adding 15.
Hartnell then claimed figures of 2-30, with Elliot Yardley taking 1-10 as Ventnor A slipped to 52-3, but Toby Noyes’ unbeaten 26 was enough to help his side to a 3-wicket victory with 22 balls remaining.
Ventnor A reached the final with a comprehensive victory over Northwood B earlier in the evening. There were runs for George Watts (30*) and Cox (24) as Ventnor amassed 134-4, Max Rivlin taking 2-28.
In reply, Northwood B could only muster 38 as Charlie Calloway (2-3) and Watts (2-7) ripped through the order – Jon Butt (12) the only batter in double figures.
St Helens progressed to the final with a much tighter victory over Porchfield. A tight spell from Owain Hooper (1-16) saw St Helens slip to 44-3 but sublime knocks from the experienced duo of Marc Allen and Mark Hartnell got their side up to an impressive 149-4. Hartnell finished with 59* off 33 balls, with 2 fours and 6 sixes, whilst Allen smashed 62* off just 23 deliveries, including an incredible eight sixes.
Allen then turned his hand to his bowling, taking a brilliant 3-17 off his three overs as Porchfield slumped to 36-3. Martyn Richards (29*) and Liam Ringer (28*) both retired, but Porchfield couldn’t catch up after their slow start and ended 29 runs short on 120-4.
Ventnor will now represent the Isle of Wight in the Regional Stages of the ECB Indoor Club Championship in March.
