Ventnor cemented seventh place in the Southern Electric Premier Division table and importantly moved 28 points clear of joint bottom clubs Sarisbury Athletic and Burridge after a fine six wicket win at Alton on Saturday.
With two games remaining, Mark Holmes’s side can secure their Premier Division status with a victory over Hampshire Academy at Newclose on Saturday (12.30 start).
This latest success continued a terrific a run of form which has seen the Islanders collect four victories and a winning draw from their last six games.
Pacemen Tom Friend and Henry Bartlett did the damage at Alton, taking 4-32 and 3-34 respectively as the visitors made the most of winning the toss to restrict the home side to 180-9 from their 50 overs.
In reply, Bartlett and Marc-Antony Eysele gave their side a splendid start with opening partnership of 82 at more than five runs an over. When the former departed for 44, left hander Eysele (55) and Tasmanian Sean Willis (41) saw Ventnor to the brink of victory before Jake George and Neil Westhorpe completed an impressive job with more than 13 overs in hand.
IMPRESSIVE WIN GIVES VENTNOR A LIFT
Ventnor’s second team claimed a first win in five games with an emphatic seven wicket success over Purbrook at Steephill in Hampshire League Division 1 on Saturday.
The home side bowled and fielded impressively to dismiss the visitors for only 100, with Ross Whyte taking the plaudits in a six over spell which brought him four wickets for only seven runs, Hugh Calloway (3-34) mopping up the tail.
Purbrook made three early breakthroughs as Ventnor’s reply began uncertainly, but with opener Rob Snell steadying the innings with disciplined unbeaten knock of 28, it freed Toby Corbin to strike ten fours in a run a ball 46 to see the Islanders to a crucial victory.
Ventnor travel to New Milton II on Saturday in the penultimate game of the season, seeking another win to help secure their Division 1 status.
ATTRILL AND STAFFORD SEE VENTNOR TO VICTORY
Ventnor’s third team won their tenth game of the season in Hampshire League Division 4 South East on Saturday, defeating Portsmouth & Southsea III by eight wickets.
Harry Sprengel (4-15), Ben Attrill (2-25) and Marcus Toms (2-32) helped dismiss the home team for 117, paving the way for James Attrill (42) and Tom Stafford with an unbeaten 59 to lead their side to victory.
Second placed Ventnor take on Challengers of Gosport who lie third, at Steephill on Saturday, knowing that a victory will be enough to clinch promotion.
CUP FINAL SUCCESS FOR VENTNOR
Ventnor triumphed in the final of the Southern Electric T20 Plate competition at Totton & Eling on Sunday, defeating Waterlooville by seven wickets.
The Premier League division 3 side batted first and totalled 158-6 from their 20 overs, Tim Jackson top scoring with 37 while Henry Bartlett took 2-28 for Ventnor.
The Islanders were given a great start in pursuit of the target, Bartlett cracking 41 from just 21 deliveries before fellow opener Jake George took centre stage. The right hander smashed five sixes in an unbeaten knock of 69 from 41 balls to lead his side to a emphatic victory with 3.5 overs remaining.
OPEN DAY AT STEEPHILL
As part of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s Club Open Day initiative, Ventnor invite members and the local community to an Open Day at Steephill on Sunday (30th August).
At 1.30, a present day Ventnor side will take on a team of former players, including ex Gloucestershire and Somerset wicketkeeper Steve Snell, Chris Sketchley, Mark Garaway, Ben Davies and Worcestershire’s pace bowler Chris Russell. Matt Compton will skipper the ‘old boys’ side.
The day, which begins at 10:00 with an under 11 game, will also feature a demonstration of vintage motor cycles and live music.
The ECB initiative, which is sponsored by Waitrose, is designed to encourage clubs to engage with their local community and is now in its third year.
The Club’s licenced bar and food will be available throughout the day.
A warm welcome is extended to everyone!
VENTNOR GOLD TURNS PINK
On Sunday Ventnor’s under 11 Gold team turned pink. For the first time the Club played an all-girls team in a competitive match. After a season when it has been common for two or three girls to be regular players in the under 11 team it was agreed to field an all-girls team in the league match against Ryde.
Ventnor batted first and in the 16 overs, although there were problems scoring, only three wickets were lost. The best feature of the batting was that no one stepped away from the ball even when the bowling was faster than they had experienced before.
The Ventnor girls bowled well with only eleven wides in the sixteen overs, less than bowled by Ryde. The ground fielding and throwing was excellent. Their knowledge of the game and confidence improves with every game and all but one will be able to play next year.
Well done to the players namely Emmeline Breach, Katie Lucas, Jess Lucas, Lauren Lucas, Emily Clow, Summer Stride, Leah Stride and Ellie Atke and thanks to Ryde for the serious but sporting way they played the game.
