At 149-1 chasing down Ventnor’s 236, Sarisbury Athletic appeared set to pull off the victory which would secure their immediate Southern Electric Premier Division future.
But they completely lost their way and ended up nine wickets down and having to stave off the potential threat of a last ball defeat at Newclose. They closed 213-9, allowing Ventnor a greater slice of the spoils, the islanders taking 16 points from the drawn game compared with Sarisbury’s 11.
It means Sarisbury go into their last Time pennant match against St Cross Symondians at Allotment Road with a narrow 13-point lead over Ventnor, with neighbours Burridge six points above them.
“The only positive is that we didn't lose,' said disappointed Sarisbury skipper Matt Journeaux.
“We had a good chance to get away from the bottom and didn't take it.
“It is going to be very tight with five teams within a win of each other at the bottom.”
Dan Goldstraw returned yet another five-wicket yield when he took 5-75, but Tom Friend (44) and Tasmanian Sean Willis (62), pictured, aided later by Jake George (30) and Hugh Calloway (33) eased Ventnor to a decent 236 all out (Paul Jewell 3-50).
But a tenth defeat in 13 starts for Ventnor looked a distinct possibility when openers Ricky Rawlins (41) and Ryan Covey (53) and left-hander Jack Lovett (39) took Sarisbury’s reply to 149-1.
“In the end we needed 80 runs off the last 17 overs and it should have been a stroll in the park,” Journeaux continued.
“When we lost a couple of wickets in quick succession the new batsmen found it more difficult.
“Suddenly we found ourselves under scoreboard pressure and this got to us.
“Instead of taking our time we rushed and got out to a few poor shots.'
Sarisbury lost their last four wickets for 18 runs and Jewell had to fend off the final ball of the day from Friend to prevent Ventnor winning.
But they completely lost their way and ended up nine wickets down and having to stave off the potential threat of a last ball defeat at Newclose. They closed 213-9, allowing Ventnor a greater slice of the spoils, the islanders taking 16 points from the drawn game compared with Sarisbury’s 11.
It means Sarisbury go into their last Time pennant match against St Cross Symondians at Allotment Road with a narrow 13-point lead over Ventnor, with neighbours Burridge six points above them.
“The only positive is that we didn't lose,' said disappointed Sarisbury skipper Matt Journeaux.
“We had a good chance to get away from the bottom and didn't take it.
“It is going to be very tight with five teams within a win of each other at the bottom.”
Dan Goldstraw returned yet another five-wicket yield when he took 5-75, but Tom Friend (44) and Tasmanian Sean Willis (62), pictured, aided later by Jake George (30) and Hugh Calloway (33) eased Ventnor to a decent 236 all out (Paul Jewell 3-50).
But a tenth defeat in 13 starts for Ventnor looked a distinct possibility when openers Ricky Rawlins (41) and Ryan Covey (53) and left-hander Jack Lovett (39) took Sarisbury’s reply to 149-1.
“In the end we needed 80 runs off the last 17 overs and it should have been a stroll in the park,” Journeaux continued.
“When we lost a couple of wickets in quick succession the new batsmen found it more difficult.
“Suddenly we found ourselves under scoreboard pressure and this got to us.
“Instead of taking our time we rushed and got out to a few poor shots.'
Sarisbury lost their last four wickets for 18 runs and Jewell had to fend off the final ball of the day from Friend to prevent Ventnor winning.
