THE unpredictable British weather played its part in curtailing the latest round of Isle of Wight League fixtures last Saturday — but it didn’t stop the pick of the matches from going ahead and Ryde making a little bit of history.

At a damp and drizzly Harding Shute, Ryde I entertained Ventnor I, with both teams at the top of Division A, with 100 per cent records and only a bonus point between them — the perfect scenario for a decent afternoon’s cricket.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor Cricket Club’s Ross Whyte clean bowls Ryde’s Matt Oatley. Ventnor Cricket Club’s Ross Whyte clean bowls Ryde’s Matt Oatley.

But such were the conditions, which led to four of the six scheduled matches to be called off or abandoned, it was always going to be a day for the bowlers.

Predictably, Ryde put Ventnor into bat after winning the toss and wickets fell at regular intervals.

Ventnor were unable to get any significant partnerships going, with only Martin Blackman (27) showing any sort of resistance to the accurate Ryde seam attack.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde all-rounder Julion Jayerajah clips the ball off his legs against Ventnor I. Ryde all-rounder Julion Jayerajah clips the ball off his legs against Ventnor I.

Ben Gregory took 3-25, with Ryde skipper, Stuart Robertson (2-27), taking the important scalps of Hugh Calloway and Ventnor captain, Ross Whyte, for a duck.

Sam Rockley (2-3) came on to mop up the tail and leave Ventnor on a below par 121 all out.

Isle of Wight County Press: Matt Webb got Ryde’s first Ventnor wicket.Matt Webb got Ryde’s first Ventnor wicket.

Ryde’s reply started badly, slipping to 22-4, thanks to aggressive bowling from George Willis and Whyte, combined with accurate spin bowling from 15 year old Fred Gurney (3-14), making his Ventnor debut.

The game remained in the balance all the way through the Ryde innings as wickets continued to fall.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde Cricket Club captain Stuart Robertson with an off-drive against Ventnor.Ryde Cricket Club captain Stuart Robertson with an off-drive against Ventnor.

But a captain’s innings from Robertson (43 not out) helped guide his side home with two wickets and 11.1 overs in hand.

It was the first time Ryde (Hants 2), had beaten Ventnor — who play three leagues above them — in a competitive game for many years.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde captain Stuart Robertson was man of the match against Ventnor. Ryde captain Stuart Robertson was man of the match against Ventnor.

The victory leaves Ryde at the top of the league as the only unbeaten side with two games to go.

The only other match played was in Division B between Freshwater and Shanklin and Godshill II.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor celebrate a Freddie Gurney wicket against Ryde. Ventnor celebrate a Freddie Gurney wicket against Ryde.

Shanklin, a player short, batted first and got off to a steady start, but the West Wight outfit made light work of the order to skittle them out for a modest 121, with Seb Egerton-Read wagging the tail with a swashbuckling 27.

The wickets were shared among all the bowlers, with Sam Vandecasteele (2-10), Dane Dovale (2-20) and Jack Lees (2-24) the pick of the attack.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor Cricket Club's Freddie Gurney bowling.Ventnor Cricket Club's Freddie Gurney bowling.

Freshwater’s batsmen seemed to handle the conditions better and knocked off the total to win by five wickets, thanks to Steve Priddle (21), Graham Gosden (45) and Charles Andrew (25).

J.White got 2-14 from his five overs.

                                     TODAY’S FIXTURES (SATURDAY)

Division A — St Helens v Shanklin and Godshill I (The Green); Ventnor I v Newport (Steephill); Northwood I v Ryde I (The Park, Cowes).

Division B — Ryde III v Ryde Cavaliers and Bembridge (Haseley Manor, Arreton); Shanklin and Godshill II v Northwood II (Westhill); Ryde II v Ventnor II (Harding Shute).