The seaside town has already won the All Wight League – formed in July when the government gave recreational cricket the go-ahead after lockdown – but it was Ventnor who gave them their closest call, being bowled out for 121, but then taking eight Ryde wickets before Stuart Robertson’s 43 not out got them across the line.
Both Ryde and Ventnor were relegated in their respective mainland leagues at the end of 2019, Ryde into Hampshire League Division 2 and Ventnor slithering into the third tier of the Premier League.
Ryde continued their good form in the All Wight League by winning all three qualifying matches in the IWCB’s 30-over September Cup, accounting for an all-star Carisbrooke Old Boys and St Helen’s before Robertson (64) eased them to a six-wicket win over Portchfield (153) for whom George Hatt struck a stylish 45.
Ventnor warmed up for their Newclose cup final date with an oven-ready nine-wicket cooking of Island Bakeries (120-4), an unbroken stand between the promising Mark Fletcher (67) and young Sam Mills (53) bringing the bread home for the Steephill boys.
Kev Wrigley hit an unbeaten 105 as CHOB blasted the St Helen's attack for 238-3 (Summers 68) at Goose Green. The Saints responded with 197, Mark Watson hitting a typically forceful 76.
Seb Egerton-Read (62) and james Allen (44) led Shanklin & Godshill to a six-wicket win over Freshwater with an over to spare at Westhill, where the visitors earlier posted 190-7, with Scadgee (63), Priddle (43) and Turney (41) top scoring.
Shanklin bring the curtain down on the season against island champions Ryde at Hardings Shute on Saturday, 12.30.