Ventnor narrowed the deficit at the bottom of the Southern Electric Premier Division table with a spirited display against fellow strugglers Sarisbury Athletic at Newclose Cricket Ground on Saturday.
The Islanders claimed 16 points from a winning draw, a result which looked unlikely at one point as the visitors moved to 159-1 in pursuit of the home side’s total of 236.
However, Sarisbury lost wickets as they attempted to up the run rate as the overs ticked by with Rob Snell (3-34), and Tom Friend (3-66) making key in-roads after England Under 19 bound off spinner Brad Taylor and Adam Wilson had helped apply the mid innings brake with disciplined spells.
When Ventnor skipper Mark Holmes dismissed Zimbabwean Ryan Burl for 27, the home team were suddenly in the ascendancy and when two more wickets fell soon after, it was down to last man Jewell to survive the final delivery from Holmes to stave off defeat on 213-9.
Earlier in the day, Groundsman Andy Butler had worked wonders to get the game on at the scheduled time, with Tom Friend (44), Sean Willis (62), Jake George (30) and Hugh Calloway the main contributors to Ventnor’s all out score from 63 overs.
Ventnor travel to Bashley on Saturday in the final fixture of the all day format, looking to build on the Sarisbury performance.
SECOND TEAM DEFEATED AT SARISBURY
Toby Corbin (2-49), Ross Whyte (2-39), Charlie Calloway (3-40) and George Willis (2-56) were all amongst the wickets as Sarisbury II totalled 271-9 in Saturday’s Hampshire League Division 1 clash at Allotment Road, Hammond making 88.
Jacobus Hooneberg hit five fours and two sixes in an impressive knock of 54, but despite useful contributions from George Niemiec (29), Corbin (37), Calloway (24) and Willis (31 not out) Ben Woodhouse’s side were eventually dismissed for 227.
Old Tauntonians and Romsey II are the visitors to Steephill on Saturday.
HOSE DEBUT FOR SOMERSET
Adam Hose made 20 on his debut for Somerset on Thursday against Hampshire in the T20 blast, opening the batting after being awarded a 14 month contract earlier in the week by the Cider County.
The contract is a reward for a series of impressive performances by the 22 year old who played for Ventnor until three years ago.
Hose is the latest young player to make the professional grade after starting cricketing life at Steephill, following the likes of Danny Briggs (in opposition on Thursday night), Steve Snell and Chris Russell.
A proud moment for Adam, his parents Jeff and Jill and all the family and of course Ventnor Cricket Club.
