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Little Legends Returns

Saturday 21 February - Saturday 28 March

Following its highly successful 2025 debut, Little Legends Crazy Cricket - a high-energy, fun-filled introduction to sport designed especially for 3-4 year olds – returns for its 2026 season on Saturday 21 February. 

It will run for six weeks, six Saturdays, until Saturday 28 March inclusive – 09:30-10:15am at Ventnor Cricket Club.   

What it’s all about

Designed by an experienced Physical Education specialist (*), the imaginative games, mini challenges and cricket-inspired activities, help children develop essential gross motor skills.  Such as running, jumping, balancing, throwing and catching — all while building confidence, coordination and a love of movement.

Every session is packed with encouragement, smiles and success moments, helping your little one grow braver, stronger and ready to take on the world.

Signing up and fees

In order to keep sessions to a high standard the number of available places is strictly limited and offered on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. Please in the first instance sign up using this online form (also including further information):

https://forms.gle/PFPsYMCodXkparwU8

You will be notified if your child has secured a place. 

The cost of the six-week course is £35 per child.  This will be payable in full please by BACS prior to the first session – or, exceptionally, by cash at the first session.   Details will be notified upon confirmation. 

That’s Little Legends Crazy Cricket:  "WHERE LITTLE FEET MOVE & BIG CONFIDENCE GROWS!"

(*) Coaches are fully qualified and DBS checked.

Rugby Evening @ Steephill

Very special bar prices!

Saturday 8^th November 2025 - Saturday 8^th November 2025

1:00pm

Coinciding with the special Golf Day organised by Jack Powell & Ali Cotton for Saturday 8th November, the club bar will be open from 1pm and run well into the evening.

Do pop along to join us after the Golf to watch some rugby and spend the evening. 

There will be food and some very special bar prices:  draught beer & cider at £2.50 per pint and bottled lagers @ £2.00.

We look forward to seeing you!        

Cricket This Weekend

Friday 29^th August 2025

Weather permitting, the club’s sides are at the business end of the season.

Looking to cement a runners-up spot in Division 1 of the Southern Premier League, the 1s are away to Havant at Havant Park (12:00) while, in a reverse, the 2s host Havant 2s at Steephill (13:00). 

Also on the Island, the 4s host Northwood 2s (13:30) at Arreton CC in Island League 2.

Finally, on Sunday at Steephill, our Friendly XI hosts Pyestock CC from across the water in Hampshire (12:30).

Gala Dinner Sells Out - Wait-List Set Up

Friday 29^th August 2025

Warmest thanks for the fabulous response to this year's club Gala Dinner at Ventnor's Royal Hotel on Saturday 22nd November 2025 (see message #108) – the fifth and last of our special 175th anniversary year celebration events.  

In less than a week, the dinner is a 120-seat sell-out!  The 175 team is currently negotiating additional space and has set up a waiting-list.  If you would like to reserve your spot, please reply to this message or email: facilitiesandhire@ventnorcc.co.uk

With tickets priced at just £49.50, the event will begin at 6:30pm. Full details, including menu, are live on the club's website.  To find out more, please click on this link.

And if you have any general queries about the event, please contact the 175 team's lead for the Gala Dinner, Louise Woodhouse via ventnorccevents@gmail.com

MCC @ Steephill (11:30 start)

Wednesday 23^rd July 2025

The third in our special 175th anniversary events, the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) - probably the world's most famous cricket club, and guardian of the laws of the game - visits Steephill on Sunday 27 July to play the club's 1st XI.

The game - a classic 50-over per side one-day format - will be underway at 11:30.  Lunch will be taken between approximately 2:00-2:30pm and the game is expected to conclude at about 5:00pm. 

Special thanks are due to our match sponsor for their invaluable support, Isle of Wight Tomatoes.

Do join us for this very special match. Full details (including bar, refreshments & parking are available on the website here. 

Coming soon

Up next:  the renowned Lashings World XI - sometimes referred to as ‘the Harlem Globetrotters of Cricket’ -  is coming on Friday 15th August.  Full details are available over on the website here – including timings on the day, confirmed visiting players, on the day access and charges, parking recommendations and options, marquee and ground facilities (including bar, burgers and ice-cream) and post-match live music.

The Lashings match comes with very special thanks to our group of principal match sponsors:   The Chequers @ Rookley; Gentlemen and Players clothing; Matt White Communications;  and A J Wells.  Without their support, this event would not take place. 

Weekend 'Pie and a Pint' - Bar Update

Friday 13^th June 2025

As some will know, the Club Bar is now under new management with Duncan Mills very kindly taking the helm from the amazing Mark Fletcher.  

Running alongside this weekend’s full cricket offering at Steephill (Message #73), the bar will be open:

• Saturday 14 June (12-8pm)
• Sunday 15 June (1-7pm).

If it’s your visit in a couple of weeks, you’ll find that draught beer has returned with a line up of Brooklyn IPA; Somersby apple cider; and Estrella lager.

And to celebrate this weekend also comes with a very special ‘pie and a pint’ offer… Do drop in and check it out.

Weekend Cricket

Friday 13^th June 2025

After last week’s enforced weather break, the club’s senior teams look to return to the field this weekend.

The 1s continue their Southern Premier Division 1 campaign away at Fair Oak (12:30 start) while the 2s take the next steps in the Hampshire Division 2B season with a home match at Steephill against Lymington 2s (13:00 start).

The 3s, meanwhile, resume  their Island Division 1 campaign away at Wight Whizzers (13:00 @ Whitecroft CC) while the 4s host Shanklin & Godshill 2s (13:30 hosted @ Arreton CC).

Finally on Sunday, the 1s are back in action in the Southern Premiers Twenty20 Group South – home to OTs & Romsey (14:00 @ Steephill).

Membership Cards Ready for Pick Up

Friday 13^th June 2025

Membership cards for 2025/2026 are ready for collection. 

They will be found in the bar area – packaged up in envelopes with other items for distribution.

Some cards have already been distributed in batches.  About half, however, remain.

Please remember that you may require a membership card to confirm your identity - when making a purchase in say the bar to secure your member’s discount.

Any queries please to our new membership manager, Amelia Mills.

New Junior Kit by Wightfibre

Friday 13^th June 2025

Anyone watching our U11, U13 or U15s (including girls) over the past week or so will have seen the very smart new club kit kindly provided by our newest community sponsor, Wightfibre as part of their community sponsorship programme.

Warmest thanks to Wightfibre for their wonderful support.

Cricket, Curry and A Pint

Tuesday 10^th June 2025

Thursday 19th June sees the return of last year’s popular ‘cricket, curry & a pint’ evening as the club's midweek XI host Carisbrooke High School Old Boys @ Steephill (starts 6pm).

The evening is in partnership with our friends from Masala Bay who have recently joined our roster of community sponsors. 

You get the idea… Pop down to the cricket; buy yourself a pint (or similar); place an order for your favourite Masala Bay dish; and relax while the order is delivered to the ground.   All this and a special 10% Masala Bay discount!

What’s not to like? 

Special thanks to Ruth Noyes for the idea and for organising. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Ruth Noyes

Monday 9^th June 2025

Many congratulations to our head of ladies and jt. chair of junior, Ruth Noyes, for winning the Isle of Wight Cricket Board (IWCB) Volunteers in Cricket Award.  Full story on our Facebook feed.

Hampshire Cricket Representative XI match

Monday 9^th June 2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a wonderful afternoon’s cricket last Wednesday vs a Hampshire Cricket Representative XI – a strong side which included several first-team regulars, notably former SA test star, Kyle Abbott.   They were treated to a close contest in which Ventnor fell just short – notwithstanding a ton from Dan Cox (101no).

You can find full details on the club’s Facebook feed together with a great selection of shots by our very own snapper supreme, Dave Reynolds.

Special thanks to the 175th Anniversary organising team (Graeme, Ben, Lou, Gary & Bill) and to club president Graham Benson and his wife, Christine for their kind sponsorship of this match.

Next up, the third of five 175 events will see an MCC XI @ Steephill on Sunday 27 July.  Further details to follow and warm thanks to Isle of Wight Tomatoes for their sponsorship of this game.

Tour Match Cancelled

Sunday 18^th May 2025

Please note that the tour match with WCL of New Delhi (Wednesday 28 May @ 4pm) has been cancelled by the tourists.  This is due to the current unrest in India and Pakistan.  There is now NO game @ Steephill that evening in the fixture list. 

Cricket This Weekend (09-11 May)

Friday 9^th May 2025

Another busy cricket weekend ahead – opened by our Ladies XI heading to Ryde CC this evening, Friday, (18:00)

Back at Steephill tomorrow (Saturday 10th), the senior 1s host Rowledge (12:30pm) in Southern Premier 1.  They will look to maintain last weekend’s opening success vs Waterlooville. Similarly seeking to build on a successful opener (vs Cadnam) last time out, the newly promoted 2s again cross the Solent to Portsmouth’s St Helen’s Ground to take on Portsmouth 2s (13:00). 

Finally, the 4s will look to open their account as they cross the Island to play Freshwater 1s @ School Field (13:30) in Island League 2. 

Remember you can find all fixture details at any time on the fixture page of the recently updated website.   Graeme Burnett’s regular match reports will also shortly start appearing here on the website.

Saturday Cricket is Back at Steephill

Thursday 10^th April 2025

Last year’s Southern Premier League champions, Hampshire Academy, provide attractive opposition as the club’s 1st XI continue their warm-up to the new season this Saturday (12th) @ Steephill.

The game will start at 12:15.

The season proper will be underway on Saturday 3rd May when the 1s host Waterlooville

I'd have been in the 4s - Hoggy @ Steephill

Saturday 5th April

Tuesday 8^th April 2025

In a very special start to the Club’s 175th Anniversary celebrations, former England fast-bowling legend, Matthew Hoggard MBE (aka ‘Hoggy’) took to the stage at Steephill on Saturday 5th April (6pm).

A renowned after-dinner speaker and raconteur, Hoggy delighted a 90-strong audience over a buffet dinner in the Sports Hall with his tales of his rise through the game from Pudsey's 3rd XI - "I'd have been in the 4s if they'd had one!" - to a starring role in the epic 2005 Ashes-winning series.

Compered by club 1st XI skipper, Ben Woodhouse, Hoggy made himself at home - from an extended stint behind the bar (any time Hoggy) beforehand to chatting animatedly with many attendees after. 

Warmest thanks to all those members and friends who joined us for this wonderful evening.  And not least to the 175 co-ordinating team (Ben & Lou Woodhouse, Luke Butler, Graeme Burnett, Gary Legg and Bill Nichols) for their work in putting Hoggy on the Steephill stage. 

Hoggy @ Steephill

Saturday 5th April

Saturday 29^th March 2025

One week to go….  On Saturday 5th April (6pm), the curtain goes up on VCC’s 175th Anniversary season.  Our debut event is an Evening with former England fast-bowling legend, Matthew Hoggard MBE (aka ‘Hoggy’) at Steephill.

The £35 ticket-only evening will take place in the Academy sports hall at Steephill. It includes a buffet sit-down supper as well as a full bar (of course…). More on website.

With places strictly limited, you can book your seat(s) right now here - via the club’s Spond membership system. And please note: bookings must close at 5:30pm on Tuesday 1st April.

A renowned after-dinner speaker and raconteur, Hoggy made his England debut in 2000, represented his country 93 times and was a star of the epic 2005 Ashes-winning series.

Ray's Race Night