CRICKETTHE Harwoods Renault Indoor Cup started with a surprise victory for Ryde II over perennial pre-season favourites Ventnor.
Ryde batted first, posting a modest 112-6 (Dave Buckeridge 29) with 52 extras but after a bright start, a youthful Ventnor side faded, collapsing to 75 all out.
A superb run-out by Ryde’s Pete Dickenson was one of the match highlights.
Not to be outdone, Ryde’s first team posted a similarly convincing victory over Northwood,
Jamie Icke (69 not out) was the pick of the batsmen as Ryde reached 151-4 (Lawrence Tolfrey 35, J. Jayerajah 25 not out).
Northwood’s chase started well but they could not sustain the run-rate through the middle overs, with the innings petering to 111 all out (Matt Gane 26).
Niton overcame Shanklin Voluntary Youth and Community Centre (formerly Fairway Sports Centre) in a tight finish, which seemed unlikely during the second innings.
Niton batted first and reached 116 all out (Guy Wells 51, Joby Wells 37) and the match looked all but over as SVYCC found themselves on 60-5 in the seventh over.
However, a determined batting display from Dave Gregory (39) left SYVCC needing seven from the last over but G. Wells kept it tight to take the last wicket without conceding a run.
In the final game of the evening, Island Bakeries capitalised on some wayward IW Prison Officers bowling to reach 144 all out (Sam Richards 28, Steve Williams 25).
Prison Officers scored 71-5 from their 12 overs.