Honours shared in Postage Stamp nailbiter
by Alan Rowley, 26th April 2004

The opening game in what could be the final season at Spondon's Royal Hill Road ground welcomed the visit of Belper Meadows and their much talked about West Indian star Daren Powell. Spondon's South African, Ryan McFadyean, was not available for the game, being unable to arrive in the country until week two's games.

Joe Kellogg bowls the first ball of the 2004 season to Paul Bakel as Ben McGonigal looks on

Glorious sunshine greeted the teams as Meadows took to the crease first. Openers Paul Bakel and Ben McGonigal were soon gaining the upper hand, racing away at over five an over on the small ground, affectionately dubbed 'The Postage Stamp' by readers of the former Sting In The Tail.

Bakel was first to go, bowled by Joe Kellogg for 18 with the score on 56 for 1 in the 12th over. The Meadows openers must be the youngest in the League, but McGonigal showed great maturity in an excellent innings of 74, including 10 fours. His fifty came in 61 balls when the Meadows appeared to be racing away to a big score.

Ben McGonigal on his way to fifty

Daren Powell in action

When McGonigal fell, the Belper innings slowed markedly until Daren Powell, took to the crease. The temperamental West Indian blasted his way into Derbyshire League cricket with a mighty six off his first ball. He showed that he is going to be very destructive at this level with an innings of 43 in only 21 balls, including 2 sixes and 6 fours.

The Meadows innings eventually closed on 246 for 9 with Joe Ashdown shining with the ball with a five wicket haul. On Spondon's ground, a score below 250 is always gettable, and the Spondon lads were keen to attack the target.

From the start, Spondon looked as if they were capable of overturning the Belper score. Ashdown (pictured right) again shone, this time with the bat, reaching his fifty in 59 balls. He held the home team's innings together well with a fine display before being stumped by Rich Pascual for 85. Ashdown's innings included 14 fours and came from 93 balls, occupying the crease for 140 minutes.

When Ashdown left to warm applause from the Spondon locals, it was left to Simon Bassett to lead the chase. Steve Dash showed his intentions from the very first ball, launching Gaz Goodall over the cottages for a huge six. He attempted the feat off his second ball, only to be caught on the long on boundary.

Spondon's Dave Harrowing is bowled by West Indian Daren Powell

With 16 wanted off 13 balls, Bassett was bowled by Simon Hunt for an excellent 33 to leave Spondon teetering on 231 for 9. It was left to 15 year old Steve Mountney, usually a third teamer, and Leigh Fox, to bat out for a draw.

It had been a tense game played out in sporting style. Both sides are ambitious and will be looking to be pushing for promotion by the end of the season. On this performance, they could both be thereabouts come September.

Scores:
Spondon (13) 232-9 (J Ashdown 85, Bassett 33, Powell 3-57, G Goodall 5-61) drew with Belper Meadows (17) 246-9 (B McGonigal 74, Powell 43, J Ashdown 5-62)