Satisfaction for Kellogg as his men back in mix

AT the end of a trying week, there was an extra satisfaction for Spondon captain Sam Kellogg (below) in his side's victory at Dunstall.

Opening bowler Steve Attenborough's departure on less than happy terms did not disrupt the champions as badly as some may have feared and Kellogg believes the way his team defended a total of 221 shows there is still depth in his bowling attack.

“We were well chuffed with that, especially after losing a player in the week,” he said.

“We were slightly disappointed with 221 but we knew with our bowling attack and the way we field that any competitive score gave us a good chance.

“We bowled really well under pressure and stuck together as a unit. We've got a lot of good spirit in this side and that pulled us through.

“We've quite a well-balanced side. Bowling-wise, I've a lot of people I can turn to and a lot of different combinations I can try. It's a bit of a luxury really.”

Spinners Chris Windmill and Joe Ashdown played a key role in restricting the Dunstall reply as Kellogg held his nerve when the pressure was put on by batsmen Carl Eyden and Jamie Benstead.

When Windmill completed his spell, the skipper's gamble to replace him with Warren Bell paid off to clinch the win.

“It tends to be pretty slow here if you can bowl in the right areas,” he added.

“Their two players did get on top of our spinners for a while but once we got through them, it was very difficult for new batters coming in to get the spinners away, especially with the pressure of chasing.

“I like to keep faith in my bowlers unless things are going dramatically wrong.

“It was a risk going to Warren because he can be very good or he can go for a few runs but it came off.

“He has bowled pretty well for us this year, so I was happy to give him the ball.

“Dunstall are a good side and that was a very good win. It's early days yet but that puts us back in the title mix.”