In Christchurch senior cricket for Riccarton he scored more than 5000 runs and hit ten centuries, "each of them memorable for their violence and speed".

Canterbury and Otago went into their final game of the 1929–30 Plunket Shield season at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, equal at the bottom of the table with no victories, so the match would decide who finished last.

[3] Powell began his innings at the beginning of the second day, and was soon joined by Neil Dorreen when the sixth wicket fell at 239.

The Christchurch paper The Press reported that "[Powell's] scoring strokes had a punch behind them that is rarely seen in representative cricket".

"[4] Canterbury declared at 523 for 7, made off 106 overs, and dismissed Otago for 124, winning by an innings and 227 runs inside two days.