Ventnor captain Ian Hilsum in action at South Wilts. Picture by Mike Vimpany.
CRICKETVENTNOR’S campaign in the top flight of the Southern Electric Premier League did not get off to the best of starts last weekend — despite a brilliant performance from Ian Hilsum.
The Ventnor skipper showed his team-mates how batting should be done by smashing an unbeaten 86, which included six fours and one six, but it was still not enough as opponents South Wilts ended up winning by four wickets.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Ventnor were suffering a case of early season nerves as four players in the top order — Ben Woodhouse, Jake George, Adam Hose and Jamie Miller — were all dismissed for ducks.
Newcomer Chris Ridley kept the scoreboard chugging with 30 before Hilsum joined him at the crease.
Ridley departed when Hilsum was on 52, and the skipper held the fort as Neil Westhorpe (2), Adam Wilson (18) and Charlie Freeston (2) departed cheaply.
In the end, the side finished on 163-8.
In reply, South Wilts could rely on Glenn Maxell, recently returned from the DLF Indian Premier League, to fire some quick runs and he reached 46 before being trapped lbw by Elliot Wilson (3-38).
That total, coupled with 47 from James Hayward and 21 from James Hibberd, helped South Wilts over the line.
Freeston bagged two of the other wickets, with Miller taking one.
This weekend, the side host Alton at Newclose, starting at 1pm.