SPONDON COMFORTABLE WIN IN LOW SCORING GAME

SPONDON CC 98 FOR 4 V MAREHAY CC 96 ALL OUT
DERBYSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER @ THE HSG OVAL
10 JUNE 2017 --- 1230PM


THE HSG OVAL IN FULL SWING

Spondon made short work of overhauling a total of 96 posted by visitors Marehay, Michael Mitchell with 43 the main stay of their 98 for 4 in 27.2 overs.  Earlier the visitors were struggling at 21 for 5 at one stage before some qualified late hitting from Tom Burke [42] secured a total that got near defendable.
Onto the cricket shortly as ever the day started leaving base this time early to avoid the ensuing road closures due to the Women's tour cycle race around the north of the county and with a change of buses made in Derby we were soon in Ilkeston.  Ilkeston I hear you say that's not Spondon well exactly the intention of the day was to pop along to take a further look at Derby City RL at their Stute ground in Kirk Hallam.  Having arrived in the town around noon I discovered by accident Kerry's fish and chip shop proclaimed winner of best chippy in Ilkeston, so for research purposes the blog sampled.

MMM FISH AND CHIPS

The first sign of a good chippy is a large queue and a wait of over 10 minutes to be served but it was worth it they would certainly be troubling the top of the fish and chip league.  Having covered something of the history surrounding the ground I was looking forward to popping a little of 'Ilson' on record but this will have to wait as you are about to find out.
The ground is a little out of Ilkeston so after hopping a bus to The Bull and walking down to the ground it was a comfortable arrival at 1.30pm with an hour to go to kick off the cricket was in full swing on an adjoining pitch but not too much sign of rugby players.  After an enquiry in the club it appears the game had been switched to Amber Valley Rugby Club, you can imagine the frustration, to say the least, Saturday is sport day and we were now in trouble.  Disappointingly the club operate a Twitter and website page but had not posted to inform of any venue change, it really is no wonder clubs struggle to get support there maybe only a few hoppers around watching summer sport but it doesn't convince you about the future of certain sports in the area.

HSG OVAL ENTRANCE TO SPORTING ACTION

Anyway minor rant over the walk back to the bus was a calm [!] controlled [!] search of the nearest cricket available and thankfully Spondon were at home a club I had on the 'to do list' who had started about an hour early in their game versus Marehay.  Having departed the latest bus at the junction of Sancroft Rd a sharp walk through the estate saw arrival at the Locko Rd ground to see the visitors in trouble.  A dark overcast day certainly not summer cricket weather did not help picture quality and it appeared not to be making batting to easy either.

CAUTION FROM MAREHAY

With the innings underway I will take a look at the ground after describing the closure of the Marehay innings.  The visitors were soon at 61 for 7 and then 8 and it was time for Tom Burke to rescue the innings with 4 x 6's ad 2 x 4's in his 42 that finally got the total onto 96 all out in 37.1 overs.  What would you expect from the reply was this going to be a good total on a difficult day?

JUST HOME AS MAREHAY SAVE ANOTHER WICKET

So the romantically named HSG Oval a ground that Spondon had occupied for just over a decade having moved from their former home close by Royal Hill Rd.  The latter ground saw the uncovering of the base of a windmill a symbol that is now included in the clubs simple but effective badge that well describes the former times in this attractive edge of Derby village.  There are some excellent videos on the clubs website which were undertaking by Taking The Field a project that covered the club with some superb contributions from club officials, well worth a watch.

FORMER GROUNDS WINDMILL REMEMBERED ON THE SPONDON CC FLAG

So from formation in 1883 the club has a rich history a superb back story which is well documented on their website and new ground within which its clubhouse has pictorial record of most eras.  It has to be said that the ground has a feel of love and care for it because on entry you can see good order is well the order of the day.  Walking around to the left and behind the bowlers arm is a fair drop to surprise a second pitch a great asset to the club and moving around to the smart store cabins there is a second electronic mini scoreboard for the main pitch and a further similar one for the second pitch.  Around this boundary are a wide selection of park style seats available for viewing.  Coming towards the business end and at the side of the clubhouse is a dedicated patio area and then the star of the day a double tiered beauty.  At ground level the changing rooms and above the social side with bar, toilets and lift to reach both levels for the less able, once again though this gives off the feel of the club.  On asking I couldn't believe this had been built over 10 years ago the place is immaculate well cared for clean and tidy and a credit to its committee and volunteers plus I hope visitors who clearly look after it and respect the efforts that go into any community club.


JOSHUA BREAR LOOPS UP A CATCH TO ROBERT PEAT

The balcony offers a commanding view of the game, surrounding countryside and Locko Park it also features the scorers box oh yes and the main scoreboard.  Here another major plus the club operate a public address system which keeps you up to date all through the game alongside the well operated scoreboard throughout the play, big well done and a great effort.  Back towards the main entrance and a further collection of pitch side car parking and seats are available to enjoy the proceedings.

STRONG KNOCK FROM MICHAEL MITCHELL

After the obligatory cricket tea, for the players, time for the Spondon reply and under the guidance of openers Michael Mitchell and Joshua Brear its moving along nicely until the latter falls for 12 with the score on 35,  caught looping one up to Matthew Bailey.  The previous ball had seen some controversy as Marehay believed Brear had edged Robert Peat to Mitchell Robinson behind the stumps, however after a moment or two consultations the umpires remained unconvinced.  Marehay felt the ultimate response had come from above with the next ball dismissal.  A minor wobble accoutred moments later when Nick Rigg was lbw to James Kyte for 1 and the fightback was on.  Marehay were now making it difficult for the home side with many a ball passing closely to the edge of the bat but slowly and carefully Spondon battled their way through this period.

NOT TOO CLOSE THIS TIME

Oliver Baum stuck around with Mitchell to record 20 before he fell with the score on 79.  Sadly opener Mitchell couldn't see Spondon over the line when he skied one with the score going to 92 for 4 but there was no doubt his work had been done to steady the ship to see the home side over the line which a few overs later wicket keeper Rory Christopherson and Ben Ashdown did in the 28th over.

OOOCH

A fairly comprehensive victory for Spondon with a finish just before 5pm it certainly felt a strange day for the blog but thankfully not only did Spondon Cricket Club rescue the day the little gem of a club that is based on Locko Road was thankfully discovered.