Eggborough Power Station and their current ground

By Mike Latham

In recent weeks I’ve extended my regular cricket watching into the Pontefract and District Cricket League. With new grounds to explore and new teams and players to watch, it’s been an enjoyable experience.

The PDL covers a wide geographical area including many of the old coal-mining areas of West and South Yorkshire. Games are played based on 46 overs per side.

The league has lost some of its top clubs to the Yorkshire Premier League system in recent years with Fairburn joining the North section and Ackworth the South. Ackworth was a regular host for the league’s cup finals and their departure must have been a big blow.

Ackworth CC

With several grounds in proximity, it’s possible to call in at a few games during a Saturday afternoon, especially as most are covered live on Play Cricket. Hence, one can estimate how much cricket is likely to be left in a particular game and whether the journey is worthwhile.

These days, unless there’s someone that I know who’s playing, or I have a particular interest in the match, I find it hard to watch a game right through if there’s the possibility of visiting another new ground nearby. And after all, with only 22 Saturdays or thereabouts in a season, you can’t afford to waste a day, especially after a long journey by car. That’s my excuse anyway, but then I’ve long been a groundhopper.

One ground I really enjoyed visiting- and where I received a very warm welcome- was Eggborough Power Station CC, located just off the A19 towards Selby from the M62 motorway.

Just as at fellow league member Ferrybridge Power Station, the cooling towers – such a dominant sight on the skyline of the area- have been demolished in recent years. What a sight they must have been close.

I did visit Ferrybridge in 2017 before demolition for a game pictured below.

Ferrybridge Power Station CC in 2017

And on my return this year the backdrop was entirely different (see below).

Ferrybridge Power Station CC in 2022

Unfortunately, at Eggborough Power Station, I didn’t get a ‘before’ photo, but I was able to visit in what I understand is the club’s final season on their current ground. If you look closely, by the way, there's a pun in there.

Eggborough Power Station CC in 2013 (Tony Hutton)

But Tony Hutton kindly provided a photo that he took on a visit in 2013.

As part of the site’s redevelopment under new owners the club will be accommodated on a new cricket ground a few hundred yards away from the current site, from as early as next season.

The club captain, who was missing the game because of injury, explained this would give the club fresh impetus and enable them to build an infrastructure.

Hirst Courtney CC in 2006 (Tony Hutton)

Currently they run only one team, but they have recruited several new members of late, after neighbouring club Hirst Courtney’s Saturday team folded. And they had a successful junior training night which gives the potential to build up a junior set-up such was the interest.

Eggborough Power Station CC

The game I saw was quite a way down the PDL pyramid, being a division five encounter against Wakefield Thornes thirds.

After the recent dry weather, the outfield was dry and parched, resembling something approaching what you imagine club cricket must be like on the sub-continent.

The last remnants of the power station still stand and provide a rather eerie backdrop to the play. It must have been some sight when the power station was in full operation.

Eggborough Power Station CC in the field

With plenty of parking and a pleasant treeline surrounding I found it a most enjoyable ground to spend a couple of hours. A good number of enthusiasts lined the boundary, mostly reclining in deck chairs, and the cricket was hard fought, with not a quarter asked or given, as you expect in Yorkshire.

The league secretary, I was told, was umpiring and it reminded me of just how organised this league is. Most games I’ve visited have had two umpires, smartly attired, which isn’t often the case in many other leagues where players often are required to stand at square leg or sometimes officiate at both ends.

To the club’s huge credit, the game was also covered with live scoring on their Play Cricket app. The scorers really are the unsung heroes of club cricket.

With half a dozen players absent through injury the home side had low expectations from this game- and they weren’t disappointed.

The remnants of the power station

Bowled out for 96, they fought hard in the field- but the visitors prevailed for the loss of only two wickets.

Some cricket-watching friends of mine, who exist on a diet of county and international cricket- wouldn’t countenance watching club cricket, especially a game so low down the pyramid.

On the other hand, there are many cricket watchers, such as me, who far prefer club cricket these days and have little or no interest in watching any other form of the game.

The scorecard may show a mundane encounter, but my visit to Eggborough was most enjoyable- and I wish the club every success at their new ground.