By Isle of Wight Observer
Ventnor A made back-to-back Indoor Cup titles, after devastating balling displays saw them overcome Northwood B and St Helens on finals night. They were skippered by Dan Cox in the final, who returned figures of 2-16, alongside Will Mew (2-17), while Mark Hartnell top-scored for St Helens, making 22 out of a total of just 76, with Max Bushby-Harris adding 15.
Mark Hartnell then claimed figures of 2-30, with Elliot Yardley taking 1-10 as Ventnor A slipped to 52-3. Toby Noyes’ unbeaten 26 secured his side’s 3-wicket victory with 22 balls remaining.
Earlier Ventnor A reached the final after beating Northwood B, with George Watts (30 not out) and Cox (24) seeing Ventnor reach 134-4, Max Rivlin taking 2-28. In reply, Northwood B reached 38 all out, with Charlie Calloway (2-3) and Watts (2-7) ripping through the order. Jon Butt (12) top-scored for Northwood.
St Helens overcame Porchfield, with Owain Hooper (1-16) seeing St Helens slip to 44-3. But boundary-strewn innings from Marc Allen (62) and Mark Hartnell (59 not out) added runs to reach 149-4.
Marc Allen bowled an impressive 3-17 off 3 overs as Porchfield scored 36-3. Martyn Richards (29 not out) and Liam Ringer (28 not out) both retired, but Porchfield couldn’t catch up, ending 29 runs short on 120-4.
Ventnor will now represent the Isle of Wight in the regional stages of the England and Wales Cricket Board Indoor Club Championship in March.