 Ross Whyte hit 82 for Ventnor |  Charlie Turpin (63) rallied after Shanklin fell to 68-3. |
THERE is no such thing as a friendly when the two old rivals of Island cricket, Shanklin and Ventnor go toe to toe — and so it proved in a match that went right to the wire when the pair met in a pre-season warm-up, writes Jon Moreno, sports editor of the IOW County Press.
In marvellous cricket weather on a fabulous Westhill playing surface, Ventnor won the toss and decided to bat — setting a competitive target of 244-6 from their 40 overs.
Ross Whyte opened, scoring 82 off 60 balls, with Charlie Turpin supporting him well in the middle order with a half century off 77 balls.
Shanklin & Godshill’s wickets were shared, led by Matt Lambourne’s 2-35 from his eight overs.
Shanklin got off to a poor start at 30-3 off the first eight overs, but recovered for the fourth wicket thanks to a great 114-run stand from Sean Phillips (46) and skipper, Benji White.
White struck 61 off just 58 balls, with a good lower order contribution from Lambourne (29), but Shanklin’s wickets were nibbled away to leave them needing five off the final four nervy deliveries, with three wickets in hand.
All looked rosy for the home side, but Whyte took two vital wickets to see Ventnor home with an amazing two-run victory.
It is a match played with a superb competitive edge, which well prove to be great preparation for the club’s league seasons ahead.
Afterwards, White said: “It was a very close and competitive game, on a good wicket at Westhill. Credit to the new volunteers who have done an excellent job on the ground.
“Despite the result, it was a nice start to the season’s preparations as we look towards our first County 2 league game against Oakley, at Westhill, on May 8.
Ventnor’s Southern Premier League Division 2 programme starts with a visit from much fancied Fair Oak on Saturday, when batsman/keeper Ben Woodhouse will take charge for the first time.
In marvellous cricket weather on a fabulous Westhill playing surface, Ventnor won the toss and decided to bat — setting a competitive target of 244-6 from their 40 overs.
Ross Whyte opened, scoring 82 off 60 balls, with Charlie Turpin supporting him well in the middle order with a half century off 77 balls.
Shanklin & Godshill’s wickets were shared, led by Matt Lambourne’s 2-35 from his eight overs.
Shanklin got off to a poor start at 30-3 off the first eight overs, but recovered for the fourth wicket thanks to a great 114-run stand from Sean Phillips (46) and skipper, Benji White.
White struck 61 off just 58 balls, with a good lower order contribution from Lambourne (29), but Shanklin’s wickets were nibbled away to leave them needing five off the final four nervy deliveries, with three wickets in hand.
All looked rosy for the home side, but Whyte took two vital wickets to see Ventnor home with an amazing two-run victory.
It is a match played with a superb competitive edge, which well prove to be great preparation for the club’s league seasons ahead.
Afterwards, White said: “It was a very close and competitive game, on a good wicket at Westhill. Credit to the new volunteers who have done an excellent job on the ground.
“Despite the result, it was a nice start to the season’s preparations as we look towards our first County 2 league game against Oakley, at Westhill, on May 8.
Ventnor’s Southern Premier League Division 2 programme starts with a visit from much fancied Fair Oak on Saturday, when batsman/keeper Ben Woodhouse will take charge for the first time.
 Benji White oozes class |  Sean Phillips not quite bat and pad - but effective ! Photos Dave Reynolds. |
2020 All Wight triple winners Ryde opened with a 31-run win over Shanklin & Godshill, after posting 211-8 (Ash Goldsmith 57). Shanklin made 180-9 in reply, with half-centuries from Billington (58) and Jack Powell (50). Asher took 3-2.
