06/09/2026
MATCH RESULT
There was plenty at stake at the Ridgeway Sports and Social Club on Saturday as Ridgeway welcomed local rivals and league leaders Eckington for the penultimate game of the season.
With both sides having plenty to play for, the game ultimately ended in a winning draw in our favour, but there was plenty for the lads to be pleased about after another strong all-round performance.
Captain Ash Roberts won the toss and with the opportunity to get maximum points for a victory, elected to bat first.
Gavin Stevens was once again at the heart of the Ridgeway innings, producing one of his finest knocks of the season.
Opening the batting, Gavin was in superb touch from the outset, finding the boundary with regularity and putting the Eckington attack under pressure. His 77 from 94 balls, including 13 fours, provided the foundation for what would become an imposing Ridgeway total.
He was involved in an opening partnership of 40 with Jake Hill, who contributed 25, including five boundaries.
That brought James Bushell to the crease and alongside Stevens, the pair began to take control.
Their partnership was worth an impressive 124 runs, setting up a daunting total for Eckington to chase if they wanted to win and putting the hosts firmly in command.
Bushell played another important innings, striking 47 from 60 balls, before falling just three runs short of another half-century for him.
With the platform established, Ridgeway were able to accelerate through the latter stages. Will Cooper with 23 once again showed his ability to score quickly.
We eventually closed our innings on an imposing 230/5 from their 40 overs.
The 230 was built around Stevens’ excellent 77 and the crucial 124-run partnership with Bushell, while the late hitting ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over. It was a score that gave Ridgeway plenty to defend.
Eckington began their reply knowing that they would need to score at a decent rate, but Ridgeway’s bowling attack ensured they were never allowed to run away with the chase.
Raja Ali was outstanding with the ball, delivering a miserly spell of 7 overs, 3 maidens, 19 runs. His superb effort helped apply pressure at one end and very unlucky not to take a wicket. Not the first time that has been said this season.
Captain Ash Roberts chipped in with 2/35, Keelan McNally picked up a wicket during his nine-over spell, finishing with 1/39. Matthew Cranfield claimed 1/26 aswell.
After contributing with the bat, Hill produced a superb 8-over spell, taking 2 wickets for just 13 runs. In desperation of making the Eckington batters play a shot, Jake who usually trundles in and bowls seamers on the money, decided to bowl an over of what can only be described as Liquorice Allsorts, which included a phenomenal leg-spinning delivery that was probably the best ball he's ever bowled. Shane Warne would have been proud!
Eckington’s innings never quite reached the momentum required to seriously trouble the Ridgeway total.
Despite a number of useful contributions, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as the Ridgeway attack kept chipping away.
After 40 overs, Eckington had reached 166/7, leaving them well short of Ridgeway’s 230. The match therefore ended in a draw. But Ridgeway taking the majority of the points.
There were plenty of positives to take from the afternoon. It may not have been the outright victory Ridgeway would have wanted when they walked onto the field, but against a strong Eckington side, it was another valuable result and another demonstration of just how competitive this Ridgeway team has become.
Gavin Stevens’ 77, James Bushell’s 47, the pair’s 124-run partnership, Jacob Hill’s outstanding 2/13, Raja Ali’s miserly spell and Ash Roberts’ two wickets all played their part.
With just one game of the season remaining, the lads can look back on what has been an excellent campaign.
The final game now awaits next week at home to Matlock & Cromford Meadows and we will be looking to finish the season on the highest possible note.
Points - Ridgeway 18 Eckington 8
A huge thanks to Robert Cooper Cars for sponsoring the match, your ongoing support is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club.
