Liam Ringer bats for the Roly Ringer XI, with Arreton’s Robert Wilcox behind. Picture by Laura Holme.
CRICKETTHE cricket season drew to a close last weekend with a friendly match to remember one of the great IW characters of the game.
Arreton once again hosted the match against the Roly Ringer XI on Sunday and took the glory after an enjoyable and close game.
In a match of tight bowling and tough batting conditions under cloudy skies, the Roly Ringer XI — comprising family members and friends of Roly — batted first and had a steady start from David Lloyd and Liam Ringer.
Clive Knight then came in and top scored for the side with 30, as they reached 132.
In reply, Arreton were pegged back early on, with great bowling from Roly’s son, Mark, Bunny Warrick and Peter Conway, and were looking in trouble at 60-6 before Keller (29 not out) and Glenn Bailey (54) steadied the ship, getting Arreton to within two runs of the winning total.
Another wicket fell next ball to set the jitters in but Sam Harris hit the winning run.
Glenn Bailey, from Arreton, thanked the Ringer family and their helpers who produced excellent refreshments, as well as the umpires, Dave Brown and Chris Cheverton, who persevered to get the match played through to the end despite many rain delays.
He said: "It was a well attended game with a who’s who of Island cricket who turned out to support in memory of Roly, a stalwart of IW cricket and one of the founder members of Arreton Cricket Club."
Mark Ringer, who captained the Roly Ringer XI, said: "In the past we have raised funds for the British Heart Foundation but this year, I think money raised will go back into club funds here at Arreton.
"Everyone in the team is connected with Roly and with Arreton in some way and it’s nice to be able to get together."