Ventnor, courtesy of a splendid innings of 71 not out from Neil Westhorpe, almost pulled off a miraculous win in Saturday’s Southern Electric Premier Division at Havant.
As it was, the Islanders finished an agonising three runs short of victory having given the 2011 champions quite a scare. Despite the defeat, Ventnor remain in second place and have actually closed the gap on South Wilts to 22 points with three to play after the leaders were surprisingly beaten by Lymington.
Ian Hilsum chose to field first on winning the toss, but saw Havant’s Rob Gibson (53) and Chris Morgan (66) build a solid platform as their side reached 170-3. Jamie Miller’s effective ten over spell of leg spin (3-38) checked the home team’s progress before a late order flurry pushed the score to 261-9 from 50 overs, Marc-Antony Eysele’s off spin taking 2-12.
Ventnor have probably played their best cricket batting second this season, but were rocked by the early departures of Ollie Mills, Ian Hilsum and James Cheek as they crashed to 47-4, only Travis Head with 22 reaching double figures. Eysele has slotted seamlessly into the Ventnor line up but when the left hander was dismissed for a fine 60, the visitors were struggling on 150-7.
Not for the first time this season, however, the lower order performed admirably and Westhorpe’s superb knock, ably supported by Chris Ridley with 32, Hugh Calloway (16) and Rob Snell (14) kept their side in the hunt. The experienced left hander’s run a ball innings with nine fours ensured the run rate remained at around six runs an over until a tight spell from Ben Walker left Ventnor needing 14 from the final over. The battling visitors managed 11 to fall just short, Westhorpe’s efforts at least ensuring Ventnor finished with nine bonus points.
Ventnor take on Alton at Newclose on Saturday (1pm start) while leaders South Wilts face Hampshire Academy.
REMEMBERING ‘SKETCH’
On Sunday 25th August, a match to remember Mal Sketchley will take place at Steephill at 13:00.
‘Sketch’ is much missed by everyone who knew him and the game will be a fitting way to pay tribute to one of Ventnor Cricket Club’s most popular characters who sadly died on Christmas Day last year.
‘Sketch’s’ son Chris will skipper a side featuring Mark Garaway and Steve Snell against a team captained by Neil Taylor, the Bashley and former Middlesex player.
Chris and the family would be delighted to see Sketch’s many friends, team mates, work colleagues and sporting adversaries at the game to make the occasion truly memorable!
