MATCH winner Neil Westhorpe hit an unbeaten 64 and skipper Mark Holmes took 5-50 as Ventnor tightened the screw at the SEPL basement with a nervy four-wicket win over St Cross at Newclose.

It was Ventnor’s second win in three matches and boosts their prospects of avoiding the drop.

But when Ventnor slumped to 63-5 in response to a modest 175, an island win appeared unlikely – until left-hander Westhorpe stepped up to save the day.

Ventnor enjoyed the upper hand during the morning session, with Holmes’s five-wicket haul reducing St Cross to 139-7 off 30 overs.

They lost both openers without a run on the board before Charlie Ayres (21) and Michael Pollard partially repaired the damage.

Pollard (70), aided by Brad Aldridge (31) and Richard Taylor (3-25), ushered the Winchester visitors to 175 all out.

Ventnor’s run chase was far from straight forward and when Tasmanian Sean Willis (29) fell at 62-4, all appeared lost.

But the bespectacled Westhorpe got his head down and with Hugh Calloway (29) doubled the total to 137-6.

There was still work to be done when James Cheek arrived at the crease, but with Westhorpe striking nine fours and the Ventnor wicketkeeper a reliable partner, the islanders’ got home by four wickets.

Cup favourites Fair Oak entertain Owslebury in the semi-finals of the Winchester & District CA Tichborne Trophy semi-finals at Lapstone Park tonight (6.15).

Longparish, who have knocked SEPL pair Hursley Park and Sparsholt in the last two rounds, entertain Compton & Chandler’s Ford.

The Igglesden Cup semi-finals also take place this evening with Pothwar Lions playing St Cross and Wickham hosting Chawton at Rookesbury Park. The finals are at St Cross on July 30.