Tom Friend Wins Southern Electric Award

Teenage Ventnor cricketer Tom Friend (pictured) has won the Southern Electric Premier League's Performance of the Week award after scoring a maiden century in Saturday's Division 2 thrashing of Liphook & Ripsley at Steephill. The 17-year old from Freshwater hit a career-best 118 as Ventnor piled up 297-6 before a seven-wicket haul by Andy Whyte skittled Liphook for a dismal 56. Friend, who spent the first part of the season with the Hampshire Academy, admits that, whilst his bowling may not have taken off as he might have liked this summer, his batting has come on leaps and bounds. 'I've worked hard to make myself into an all-rounder and have put a lot of emphasis on improving my batting technique,' he smiled. 'I know I've got to move my bowling up a rung or two, but I've got the winter to work on that. 'In the meantime, all my efforts will be channelled to help Ventnor win the Premier League title again.'