He whacked 115 from 112 balls to help Otago reach 277 in its 50-over match against Northern Districts in Hamilton. It was not enough, though. The home team won by four wickets.
Black Caps wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling hit the penultimate ball for six to seal the win.
Kane Williamson set the platform with 75 from 80 deliveries but Watling finished off the job with a fine innings of 83 not out.
Otago's Neil Wagner took three wickets in quick succession, including the prized scalp of Corey Anderson (34), to help swing the match in the Volt's favour.
But Watling paced the chase brilliantly and had valuable support from Jono Boult, who scored 39 unbeaten runs from 28.
Still, Ryder was able to celebrate a second consecutive one-day hundred which sits alongside the four Plunket Shield tons he scored earlier this summer.
Oh, and he scored that 46-ball century for the Black Caps against the West Indies in Queenstown on New Year's Day.
It has been a great summer on the field and the 29-year-old was happy to answer questions about the game, his innings and his form but would not comment about his axing from the Black Caps.
Ryder was dropped from the test squad after it was revealed he went out drinking with Doug Bracewell on the eve of the first test against India.
He was also overlooked for the ICC World Twenty20 despite being in phenomenal form.
''It felt pretty good. I'm just trying to bat through the innings, basically, and give myself a chance in all forms and that seems to be working for me at the moment,'' he said of his latest century.
Ryder, who normally opens in the shorter formats, has been batting at No 5 for Otago in the Ford Trophy and is enjoying the change.
''It is just something I wanted to do. It is something fresh going into the end of the season to keep me focused.''
Ryder has not shelved his more aggressive instincts but he is trying to be a lot more patient and build an innings rather than bludgeon one.
Asked if he felt he was in career-best form, Ryder was uncertain.
''I don't know, I haven't really looked at it like that.''
With everything that has transpired in the past month, Ryder is still enjoying his cricket. Michael Bracewell continued his good form as well with an innings of 67. He combined with Ryder in a stand of 96.
Jimmy Neesham chipped in with 26 but no-one else was able to make a substantial contribution.
Otago will not have long to stew over the loss as it plays Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.
