By Isle of Wight Observer
We enjoyed this report of a cricket match between Ryde and Ventnor from the Isle of Wight Observer published on 18th August 1866.
Cricket.—The return match between the Ryde and Ventnor clubs came off at Ryde on Tuesday last. The day was fine, the wickets were good, and each team confident, consequently everything went as merrily as a marriage bell. Ryde, having won the toss, put Ventnor to the wickets, when a gloom came o’er the visions of the most hopeful of the Ventnorians, for, with the very good bowling of Wheeler and B. Mew, esq., the wickets fell rapid, the whole being out for 23. Without wasting time, Ryde went in, and, after some good cricket all round, were finally put out for 64. Luncheon was then very acceptable, and it was well provided by Host Parsons.
This being over, “at it again” was the word. Stumps to be drawn at 6.30. No time to waste. Ventnor went in, and played a losing game like men. In a very short time the lost ground was made up, with three wickets down. On they went batting like steam, bowlers being continually changed; but owing to some excellent catches at point by A. H. Turner, esq., the slogging men were disposed of, and after a hard-hitting inning they left off for 102, thus leaving Ryde 62 to get to win.
Now the gloom on the vision changed slowly but surely into radiant smiles, one enthusiastic Ventnorite with a big hat actually hugging the umpire (friendly) in his delight, as the best wickets were going and no runs coming, but eventually a stand was made; runs went slowly on, wickets more slowly down, ramrod getting tired; when with the last wicket to go down there was only ten minutes to the time of drawing the stumps. There were nine runs wanted to win.
Oh! excitement. Oh! expressions of every description. Oh! what a lovely miss, mid off, made from Wheeler, with five short. Oh! what a narrow squeak Burnet had, with two short. Three minutes to time, two runs to get; field intensely excited; when Wheeler slogged one for two. This most interesting gamely-played match was finished exactly at 6.30, Ryde winning by one wicket.
Ventnor, though beaten, thou art not disgraced, for their respective scores annexed, all played well — Hapgood for Ryde, Wicker for Ventnor — were loudly cheered.
Ventnor 1st innings: 23, 2nd innings: 102. Ryde 1st innings: 64 2nd innings 63.