Archie Styles and Jamie Rood shared a century opening partnership as Burridge crushed Ventnor by eight wickets to scupper any lingering threat of relegation from their debut season in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League.

They finished the campaign above St Cross Symondians in eighth place, a comfortable 28 points clear of relegated Totton & Eling.

They enjoyed the cushion of a 12-point lead over the Eels going into their final match at Newclose.

Having won an important toss, they bowled Ventnor out for 163 before polishing off the target with 14 overs to spare.

Ventnor never recovered from losing half their wickets for 60 (Nick McMurray 2-29), although James Cheek (25), hero of last week’s win at Totton, and Ian Hilsum (20) almost doubled the score with their sixth-wicket stand.

South African Geoff Dods (3-26), Hampshire’s Sean Terry (2-23) and Seth Jackson (2-28) continued to create inroads as Ventnor slumped to 129-9.

A spirited last man partnership between Mark Holmes (20) and Alex Horton lifted Ventnor’s score to 163 all out.

With five bowling bonus points tucked away, Burridge found themselves under no real pressure as Styles and Rood set about their business.

Their opening stand of 117 – by some distance the best start Burridge have made this season – forced Ventnor to rotate their bowlers, for a long period without reward.

Styles hit 67 and Rood, below, 41 before Jamie Richards arrived at the crease to complete the formalities for Burridge, who finished the season by winning two of their last three games.