They’re unlikely to ever be millionaires but ailing Ventnor found that phoning a Friend had a positive spin off.
Island-raised Tom Friend, pictured, will be re-joining the Premier Division’s bottom club in time for next Saturday’s Newclose visit by Lymington.
Friend, who played for Ventnor as a junior, has been playing for Surrey Championship top dogs Weybridge this summer in conjunction with his on-going university studies in Guildford.
He had been expected to remain in the Surrey stockbroker belt, but has decided instead to return to his old Ventnor haunts.
Friend’s potential return is good news for the Steephill club, who have struggled this season on the back of losing players of the calibre of former skipper Ian Hilsum, Chris Ridley and Oli Mills, who is also plying his trade at Weybridge.
Also back from university to boost the island club is former Hampshire Academy opener Jake George – giving Ventnor’s fragile batting a welcome boost. Both Friend and George scored over 500 SPL runs last summer.
One player who won’t be returning to the local Premier League is Durham University’s Will Phillips, who has decided to remain in North East Premier League cricket as opposed to Alton.
Phillips has fastened down an all-rounder spot in Durham’s MCCU side – managed by former England left-hander Graeme Fowler – and is having a successful season with Willington, for whom he has made over 200 runs and taken 17 wickets.
Island-raised Tom Friend, pictured, will be re-joining the Premier Division’s bottom club in time for next Saturday’s Newclose visit by Lymington.
Friend, who played for Ventnor as a junior, has been playing for Surrey Championship top dogs Weybridge this summer in conjunction with his on-going university studies in Guildford.
He had been expected to remain in the Surrey stockbroker belt, but has decided instead to return to his old Ventnor haunts.
Friend’s potential return is good news for the Steephill club, who have struggled this season on the back of losing players of the calibre of former skipper Ian Hilsum, Chris Ridley and Oli Mills, who is also plying his trade at Weybridge.
Also back from university to boost the island club is former Hampshire Academy opener Jake George – giving Ventnor’s fragile batting a welcome boost. Both Friend and George scored over 500 SPL runs last summer.
One player who won’t be returning to the local Premier League is Durham University’s Will Phillips, who has decided to remain in North East Premier League cricket as opposed to Alton.
Phillips has fastened down an all-rounder spot in Durham’s MCCU side – managed by former England left-hander Graeme Fowler – and is having a successful season with Willington, for whom he has made over 200 runs and taken 17 wickets.
