CRICKETA DRAMATIC final over led to a tie between Ryde and Ellingham at Harding Shute on Saturday.
Ellingham batted first after winning the toss and this was a definite advantage on a decent if slightly slow pitch.
J. McPherson and A. Barker both made 49 to take Ellingham to 190-2 and on course for a total in excess of 300. Ryde skipper Lawrence Tolfrey found that taking the pace off the ball was going to be the best way to reduce the scoring rate and it was his tight spell of 3-54 and the part time slow left arm of Robert Hobbs (2-34) that turned things back in Ryde’s favour.
Another part timer Tom Morgan (3-18) continued where the skipper left off with some accurate slow medium pace, and Ellingham was bowled out for 240.
In reply, things started well for Ryde as Hobbs and Cameron Mitchell played positively against the new ball. Again it was when the pace was taken off that things became more difficult. Hobbs departed for 24 and in-form Danny Bishop was stumped soon after. Tolfrey and Mitchell built an important partnership in the context of the game before Tolfrey fell for 46 and at 160-3 the game was very much in the balance. Wickets kept tumbling but Mitchell stood strong, confident he could take his side to victory. Mitchell brought up his superb 100, in the penultimate over, leaving Ryde needing eight off the last over.
Sammons was caught off the penultimate ball leaving three needed off one ball. Simon Berendt drove to long off for two to secure a tie between two very evenly matched sides. Ryde now move to eighth in the Hampshire County Division 1 table as they travel to league leaders South Wilts tomorrow (Saturday).
Meanwhile, Ryde II beat Bidbury in a rain-affected match to maintain their lead in Regional Division 2 South East.
After recovering from 20-3, Ryde II reached a commanding 206-4 thanks to an unbroken stand of 159 by Steve Lewis (106 not out) and James Cutting (56 not out). Donald Gordon wrapped up the game for Ryde taking 4-19 to leave Bidbury 100 all out.