Ben Johns brought up 1500 runs for season at Ventnor (Dave Reynolds)
Ben Johns got his eye in for Calmore Sports’ upcoming Voneus Village Cup final at Lord’s with a crisply struck century which set up his side’s 44-run win over Southern Premier Division 1 rivals Ventnor at Steephill.
The left-hander, man of the match in last season’s Village final win over Alvanley, hit a polished 123 as Calmore posted 267-7 before bowling Ventnor out for 223, the last five wickets falling for ten runs.
His third century of the season – ironically, he also made an unbeaten 100 in the Village Cup in May - neatly brought up a 1,500 run tally for the season, basically comprising 30 SPL, Village Cup and T20 matches.
Johns struck a six and 19 fours and, with support from Will Brewster (24) and Max Bailey (34), steered Calmore to 213-5 before giving way to Josh Metcalfe, who thumped 36 off balls just before tea.
The left-hander, man of the match in last season’s Village final win over Alvanley, hit a polished 123 as Calmore posted 267-7 before bowling Ventnor out for 223, the last five wickets falling for ten runs.
His third century of the season – ironically, he also made an unbeaten 100 in the Village Cup in May - neatly brought up a 1,500 run tally for the season, basically comprising 30 SPL, Village Cup and T20 matches.
Johns struck a six and 19 fours and, with support from Will Brewster (24) and Max Bailey (34), steered Calmore to 213-5 before giving way to Josh Metcalfe, who thumped 36 off balls just before tea.
Dineth Thimodya hit a six over extra-cover on his farewell Ventnor appearance (Dave Reynolds)
Ventnor certainly batted themselves into a strong position, with Rob Snell hitting 33 and Dineth Thimodya three sixes in an eye catching 27, on his farewell Vectis appearance before returning to Sri Lanka.
Martin Blackman (48) and Zepth Wells (29) kept the pot boiling as Ventnor reached 206-5 off 44 overs to leave themselves a testing 62 off the last five overs.
Liam Carty’s 45th over – the one which decided the match - began with a wide, then a six by Charlie Calloway, who was bowled next ball for 35 by the young spinner (213-6).
Carty’s next delivery clean bowled Oli Morgan. His last ball removed Ben Woodhouse for a second ball duck to make it 213-8. Three wickets in four balls by Carty, who finished with 3-48.
Ben Fisher finished things off by having Namish Verma caught behind and Sam Read bowled. Ventnor 223 all out.
Calmore Sports will have a perfect opportunity to watch Dumbleton, their Village Cup final opponents at Lord’s on Sunday week (September 18), in action this weekend – if it ever stops raining !
The Worcestershire side have fixed a two-day trip to the Isle of Wight to play Ventnor at Steephill on Saturday and Shanklin & Godshill at Westhill on Sunday.
Steve Wright hopes to rent a second hand drone for the weekend to film Dumbleton in action.
Martin Blackman (48) and Zepth Wells (29) kept the pot boiling as Ventnor reached 206-5 off 44 overs to leave themselves a testing 62 off the last five overs.
Liam Carty’s 45th over – the one which decided the match - began with a wide, then a six by Charlie Calloway, who was bowled next ball for 35 by the young spinner (213-6).
Carty’s next delivery clean bowled Oli Morgan. His last ball removed Ben Woodhouse for a second ball duck to make it 213-8. Three wickets in four balls by Carty, who finished with 3-48.
Ben Fisher finished things off by having Namish Verma caught behind and Sam Read bowled. Ventnor 223 all out.
Calmore Sports will have a perfect opportunity to watch Dumbleton, their Village Cup final opponents at Lord’s on Sunday week (September 18), in action this weekend – if it ever stops raining !
The Worcestershire side have fixed a two-day trip to the Isle of Wight to play Ventnor at Steephill on Saturday and Shanklin & Godshill at Westhill on Sunday.
Steve Wright hopes to rent a second hand drone for the weekend to film Dumbleton in action.
Liam Carty three wickets in four balls.
