RYDE — the dominant force in indoor cricket on the Isle of Wight the past three years — are just two games away from playing a dream final at Lord's, the home of cricket.

The team, which magnificently won the Leslies Motors Isle of Wight Indoor Cricket League Division 1 title and the Isle of Wight Indoor Cup, produced arguably their best performance so far by defeating reigning Southern Premier League champions, Bashley (Rydal), from Dorset, in the county play-off for the ECB Indoor National Club Championship.

Isle of Wight County Press: The victorious Ryde team which beat Bashley in the ECB Indoor National Club Championship semi-finals — from left: Dave Pratt, Ollie Morgan, Stuart Robertson, Josh Proctor, Ash Goldsmith and Mark Oatley.The victorious Ryde team which beat Bashley in the ECB Indoor National Club Championship semi-finals — from left: Dave Pratt, Ollie Morgan, Stuart Robertson, Josh Proctor, Ash Goldsmith and Mark Oatley.

Last Sunday’s match at Rew Valley Sports Centre saw Ryde pitched against a Bashley side who beat them at the same stage of the competition last year.

Ryde’s skipper, Stuart Robertson, chose to bat first, but his batsmen struggled to score against Bashley’s tight bowling.

But thanks to Mark Oatley, who top scored with 30 not out, Ryde reached 94-4.

Bashley’s openers started well to reach 48 without loss, but up stepped Ollie Morgan, 16, who turned the game in Ryde’s favour by removing the dangerous Michael Porter for 18.

Josh Proctor and Robertson kept the momentum going by taking a wicket each in quick succession as Bashley suddenly found runs hard to come by.

It was left to Ash Goldsmith (2-14) to mop up the remaining batsmen to take Ryde to victory by 17 runs.

Ryde now progress to take on Wiltshire side, Swindon, in the South-West regional semi-final, and a possible final that day too, in Taunton, Somerset, on Sunday, March 8.

Should they go on to win the regional final, Ryde will be making a trip to Lord's for the national finals day at the end of March.

After the game, Ryde’s Dave Pratt, 51, said: “It was one of those games where we never gave up.

“Bashley were cruising at 45-0 after the first three overs, then Ollie bowled and suddenly they had a panic.

“We put the pressure on, knowing we had three decent quick bowlers, and they fell apart.

“It would be different getting to a national final, at Lords. If we won that, I would retire happy.”