RYDE played some dominant cricket to retain the Leslies Motors Indoor Cup. 

Played at Cowes Enterprise College’s Winder Centre on Sunday, the 2017 cup winners overcame Island Bakeries in the final.

The first semi-final saw Island Bakeries (119-3) overcome Ryde School (118-4). 

Despite a hard-hitting 55 not out by Henry Edwards for the Scholars, Island Bakeries were always ahead of the asking rate, thanks to their opening pair of Ellis Ridett (41 not out) and Matt Webb (26 not out), who comfortably saw their side through to their first-ever indoor cup final.

Defending champions Ryde joined Bakeries in the final by beating EPP in a nail-biting contest, which saw both sides hit the same score. 

Ryde’s 118-3 was dominated by the experienced pair of Dave Pratt (31 not out) and Simon Wratten (25 not out), but the target they set looked well within EPP’s grasp as Ross Whyte (29) and Ben Attrill (28 not out) took EPP to the brink of victory. 

The game turned on the last ball of the match, which saw Whyte caught by wicketkeeper Pratt to give Ryde their fourth wicket, with the scores level, to grab their spot in the final by virtue of having lost one less wicket.

The final proved to be a slightly easier ride for Ryde, thanks in part to the high number of extras (55) conceded by the Bakeries' bowlers. 

Thee bonus runs, together with solid not out scores from Stuart Robertson (25), Mark Oatley (46) and Simon Wratten (27), helped Ryde set a 174-2 target, which was always going to be a big challenge for the Bakeries. 

Matt Webb (48) and Tom Marriott (22) fought hard, but the Bakers fell short on 144-6.

IW Cricket Board director, Martyn Richards, presented the trophy to winning captain Simon Wratten.

  • This Sunday sees the start of Divisions 1 and 2 of the IW Indoor Cricket League, with the following games taking place: Division 1 — EPP v Shanklin & Godshill I (5pm), Northwood v Brading (6pm) and Prison Officers v Ryde (8pm); Division 2 — Shanklin & Godshill II v Ryde School (7pm) and Newport v Island Bakeries (9pm).