CRICKET
RYDE bounced back from a disappointing defeat at the hands of Waterlooville a week before, with a stylish victory last weekend.
Hosting Rowledge II, Ryde won the toss and elected to bat first, with opening pair, Dale Hackett(78) and Nick Drysdale(39) getting the side off to a great start.
Calvin Dickinson (43) and Cameron Mitchell (46) both batted very well and with a late flurry of runs from the middle order the Islanders posted massive 311-6 to defend.
In response, opening bowlers Blair Granger (2-32) and Donald Gordon (1-33) showed there was more in the track for the bowlers than was first thought and were very difficult to get away.
They were both very unlucky not to pick up more wickets but they certainly took the game away from the visitors as the run rate increased rapidly from an already high rate. Andy Day and Lawrence Tolfrey both continued the tight spell of bowling to put the game out of Rowledge’s reach and when the rate had increased to above nine an over it was left to the spinners to take the all important wickets to gain the bonus points.
The visitors eventually finished on 210-8, which gave Ryde a solid victory.
Ryde still remain second in Hampshire County Division 1 with two games to play and a promotional spot in their grasp.
Meanwhile, Ryde II enjoyed a good victory over West Moors in Regional Division 1 South.
West Moors batted first and thanks to R. Blandford (66) made a good start. Tight bowling by Steve Lewis (4-13) restricted them to 151 all out.
Ryde lost three early wickets and it was left to Ben Dore (53) to steady the innings and with the tail enders all batting well Ryde won with five overs to spare.