THERE had not been any twists and turns in the race for the Division 1 Leslies Motors Isle of Wight Indoor Cricket League until Ryde prized EPP’s grip on it in dramatic fashion.

Ryde, with only one game to play, have become favourites to retain the title won last year following their two wins at Cowes Enterprise College on Sunday, which included a crushing victory over previously unbeaten Isle of Wight Cricket Board team, EPP.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Stuart Robertson bowling for Ryde against EPP at Cowes Enterprise College on Sunday.

Ryde, 14 points behind the season-long leaders, will lift the title with a win in their final game against Brading on Sunday, February 24.

EPP, who only needed to avoid defeat, were bowled out for 65 in their chase of Ryde’s 100-3, with Mark Oatley hitting 27 not out.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Ben Attrill lashes out with the bat for EPP against Ryde in their top of the table clash in Division 1 of the Isle of Wight Indoor League.

Earlier, Ryde bowled Brading out for just 80 and chased it down in eight overs, thanks to not out scores by Dave Pratt (25) and Oatley (26) again.

Shanklin and Godshill 1 beat the Prison Officers by 85 runs, with not out scores by Joe Newnham (34) and Phil Mew (27) dominating Shanklin & Godshill’s 150-1.

Although Martyn Richards top scored with 26 for the Prison Officers, it was Seb Egerton-Read’s bowling (3-13) that restricted them to 66.

Isle of Wight County Press:

EPP's Ali Wheeble plays a punchy stroke off the back foot against Ryde.

Island Bakeries are now clear leaders in Division 2 following their 21-run win against Newport — dominated by Bakeries’ Kieron Annis (42 not out) in his side’s 151-4 and bowling of 3-36 in Newport’s total of 130 (Guy Wells 36).

Cowes moved into second after beating Shanklin and Godshill 2 by three wickets.

Isle of Wight County Press:

From left: EPP's Zach Wells, Dan Cox and Ben Attrill run out a Ryde player.

Steve Egerton-Read (36) top scored in their 103-5, but Jason Heap (25 not out) made sure Cowes reached their target.

The league switches its matches to Ventnor’s Rew Valley Sports Centre for the final two weeks of the season, with Ryde representing the Island in the county play off of the ECB Indoor National Club Championship, taking on Dorset county winners Bashley (Rydal) at the same venue, on Sunday, starting 3.45pm.

The winners will reach the regional play offs in Taunton.

                                              SUNDAY’S FIXTURES

Division 1: Shanklin & Godshill 1 v Brading (8pm); Prison Officers v Northwood (9pm); Division 2: IW Disability Team v Ryde School (5pm); Cowes v Newport (6pm); Island Bakeries v Shanklin & Godshill 2 (7pm).