CRICKETRYDE finished their season off in style as they comprehensively defeated Otterbourne in the Hampshire League on Saturday.
On a bowlers’ wicket, captain Lawrence Tolfrey chose to field first after winning the toss, and the hosts immediately went to work on the Otterbourne openers.
Blair Granger, returning from holiday, started tightly and was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket. Andy Day made the breakthrough at the other end and despite a steady performance from N. Matthews (20) the Otterbourne defence was broken with some superb bowling later on.
Don Gordon (3-13) and Gav Moody (4-27) took wickets regularly and it left the visitors reeling as they were all bowled out for 98 in the 29th over.
In reply things did not start so well for the home side as they lost Charlie Sammons in the first ball of the innings and when Tolfrey went for just 12, Otterbourne were sensing that an upset was on the cards.
However, Cameron Mitchell (37 not out), Joe Raby (19) and Ben Gregory (20 not out) took the home side over the line with seven wickets and 32 overs in hand.
The result means Ryde finished eighth in County Division 1.
Ryde II’s match with Otterbourne was abandoned but that did not stop the celebrations as the side still gained promotion, topping the Regional Division 2 South East table.