The Grove v Bexley - May 1 2011

A low key start to the new season by The Grove as they slumped to a 130 run defeat at Bexley. 10 man Grove struggled in the field and made little impression into the Bexley batting line up as they amassed 231 for 3. In reply The Grove were never at the races and wickets fell steadily before they were all out for 101. Mark Fiore top scored with 19. The Grove highlight was a first slips catch taken off of fast bowler Kiln.

First duck of the season went to Liam Hammond and a GOLDEN one at that

A much improved performance by The Grove this week saw a second tie in two seasons. Gateway won the toss and elected to bat. A slow opening stand wasn't broken until the 20th over and Gateway saw themselves through to 194-5 in their 40 overs. Kiln picked up 2-34, Carroll 1-31 & Hartley 1-26. The Grove reply was slow and the run rate was always behind what was needed. Mark Fiore's 56 was the backbone of the innings ably assisted by Chris Beard with 35. 40 was needed off of the last 3 overs and a win looked unlikely but Kiln smashed 27 not out in quick time with a last ball run out meaning a tie was the outcome.

One duck this week for Sukveer

 The Grove v Petts Wood - May 15 2011

The Grove went three matches without a win on Sunday with a drawn fixture at Petts Wood. The Grove asked the hosts to bat first in a rare time game and opener Mark Fiore, back to his pre 2009 best, bowled a magnificent spell to pick up 3-34 from 10 overs including two dropped catches. Kiln again bowled well and picked up 2-22 from 11 and Carroll chipped in with 2-27 from 8.

The vagaries of a time game meant that Petts Woods' 42 overs became The Groves 33 overs. A disastrous start saw Mayhew, Hammond and Beard all out for ducks and that start coupled with 9 fewer overs meant that despite 59 from Pope, 31 from Fiore and 22 from Payne the match ended in a draw with The Grove just 16 runs short of victory.

GOLDEN Chris Beard          Peter Mayhew           Liam Hammond

The Grove v Bexley Park - May 22 2011

The Grove went down by 34 runs at Bexley Park. In a 35 over game Bexley Park batted first and put on 169-5 with Sukveer Singh taking 3-33 in an impressive spell of swing bowling, including two in two balls. The Grove reply started well with Bruin hitting a quick fire 20. The Grove batsmen found it hard going after that and despite another strong display from Fiore who batted the entire innings for 54 not out The Grove fell short at 135 - 8

GOLDEN Gary Ash   

The Grove v Gravesend - May 29 2011

The Grove lost again on Sunday going down by 83 runs to Gravesend. The hosts batted first and their Jamaican open plundered 106 not out in just 21 overs before retiring. With 153 coming in the first 20 overs things looked ominous but a good come back from The Grove bowlers saw the opposition all out for 247. Shane Carroll bowled well for 3-50 and Kiln took 2-31. Mark Fiore hit yet another 50 in The Grove reply but wickets fell regularly and The Grove were all out for 164

Mark Payne  Russell Egan      

The Grove v Frindsbury - June 5 2011

The Grove chalked up their first win of the season and possibly their biggest ever winning margin in a thumping 198 run win over Frindsbury on Sunday. In a throw back to the last two seasons The Grove won the toss, batted first and batted the opposition out of the game. The Grove batsmen dominated their opposition bowlers with runs all around the oval. Mark Fiore scored 45, Shane Carroll 49 and Kiln top scored with a quick fire 65 not out as the Grove amassed a mammoth 247 all out. Frindsbury were never at the races and it only took two balls before the wheels came off as Fiore struck for the first time. Just 5 overs later Fiore had his best ever figures of 6-16. Sukhveer Sing shared the new ball and bowled almost as impressively for 2-16. Daniel Gray also had is best figures of 0-5 and Mark Payne wrapped things up with 2-9 as The Grove ran out winners.

Chris Beard  Gary Ash      

The Grove v Hayes - June 19 2011

The Grove were well beaten at Hayes on Sunday going down by 125 runs. In a match reduced to 30 overs because  of rain the visitors started very well with Mark Fiore & Kiln picking up both Hayes openers. Unfortunately the other Grove bowlers didn't fare so well and Hayes piled on 196-7. The run chase never got going and The Grove were all out for just 71.

GOLDEN Russell Elms      Liam Hammond       Daniel Gray     Gary Ash

The Grove v Surrey Ovalites - June 26 2011

The Grove went down again on the hottest day of the year so far. Winning the toss and batting first has proved very successful in recent years but this time around a middle order implosion meant only 144 were scored when the last wicket fell.  Chris Beard top scored with 44 well backed up by Mark Payne with 23. Fielding proved far from enjoyable as LBW's, caught behinds and stumpings were all given not out. 

New entries for the duck cup were

  Kiln      Shane Carroll

The Grove v Old Brockleians - July 03 2011

The Grove beat Old Brockleians by 59 runs on Sunday in a welcome return to form. The top order got things off to a good start with 14 from Liam Hammond & 30 from Chris Beard. Then a superb 101 partnership from Ty Meaney (47) and Mark Payne (49) saw the Grove through to 192-6 in their 40 overs. Meaney & Payne played with grace and aggression at exactly the right times as the middle order wobbles from previous matches were put to bed.

In reply Old Brocks started aggressively and were always up with the run rate but a high class opening spell of 3-43 from Mark Fiore meant that a partnership could not develop. Ty Meaney completley stifled the run rate at one end with 1-21 while Shane Carroll bore the fruit of a tight spell picking up 5-20 as The Grove ran out comfortable winners.

For the first time this season there were no Grove ducks

The Grove v Swanscombe & Greenhithe - July 10 2011

The Grove had back to back victories for the first time this season with a hard fought victory over Swanscombe & Greenhithe. The Grove won the toss and batted first only to find themselves 46-5 after 12 overs with 30 of those runs coming from opener Liam Hammond. A partnership of substance was required and Shane Carroll & Mark Fiore were able to provide it. They put on 101 in 20 overs and allowed a respectable final score of 187-9 from the allotted 40 overs.

Early wickets fell in the hosts reply as the bowling return of skipper Paul Hartley took 2-27. Regular opener Kiln was held back to battle the oppositions expected middle order strength which duly developed and had them on course for victory until two wickets a piece from Hammond and Carroll saw The Grove home to an 8 run win.

Play of the day was an awesome diving catch at mid off by Hammond followed closely by Carroll using his face to stop the ball at point.

Also a clear leader has emerged at the top of the hotly contested duck cup Gary Ash.

The Grove went 3 unbeaten on Sunday with a 36 run win against Eden Park. Batting first The Grove put on 181 in a rain shortened 30 over match with a masterful 91 from Tony Pope and a rapid 34 not out from Mark Fiore. The hosts were well behind the run rate when wicketless fast bowler Kiln put down the simplest chance in the history of cricket. The lucky batsmen took advantage by smashing fours and sixes on his way to 66 in short time including another dropped catch from Kiln. 3 late wickets from Ken Payne saw the hosts bowled out for 145 with Kiln only 50 runs in debt.

Lost by 5 wickets

Lost by 97 runs

 The Grove v Lamorbey Park - August 7 2011

After successive defeats The Grove turned things around with a thumping 116 run against Lamobey Park. The Grove batted first and after a useful opening partnership by Chris Beard & Ken Payne, Mark Payne stepped up and hit a Grove career best of 84. A truly masterful display saw Mark play shots all around the ground and provide the backbone of The Grove's 193-9 from 40 overs.

In an outstanding Grove fielding performance wickets fell from the second ball and didn't stop until the opposition were all out for just 77. Chris Beard took two wicketkeeper catches, openers Mark Fiore & Kiln took 3 wickets a piece and new comer AJ Jasinski took 4 wickets in a great spell. On top of that all the catches stuck and The Grove can be proud of one of their best ever fielding performances.

Gary Ash extended his lead at the top of the duck cup with his second Golden Duck

  The Grove v Farningham - August 14 2011

The Grove pulled off a comfortable victory against a once formidable Farningham side. After losing the toss and fielding first The Grove soon had the opposition in trouble which just got deeper and deeper. 3-28 from Ken Payne and 2-27 from Paul Hartley ensured a fantastic start which saw the host languishing at 26-5. Usual opener Kiln bowled down the order on this occasion and even with a recurring no ball problem still picked up 2-38.

152 was needed for the win after a Farningham fight back and a steady opening partnership followed by a wonderful 67 not out by Chris Beard who was back to his best and 34 from Kiln meant The Grove coasted to a six wicket victory with 9.3 overs to spare.

  The Grove v Sherwood - August 21 2011

Lost by 162 runs, Golden Duck for Chris Beard

  The Grove v Eynsford - August 28 2011

The Grove won again on Sunday away at picturesque Eynsford. In a rain affected match a 30over game was eventually played and The Grove elected to bat first. A hugely impressive start from new comer Kiky in his 2nd Grove innings saw him knock 37 very quick runs including a six and 6 fours. Mark Payne smashed 32 with sixes and fours aplenty and Mark Fiore chipped in with 22 as The Grove closed on 145 all out.

Fiore and Kiln opened the bowling and immediately built pressure with tight spells. Fiore ended with 1-19 and Kiln an impressive 1-7, both from 6 overs. Kiky bowled with venom and good pace as he picked up 2-10 and Carroll also chipped in with 4-10 from his 6 overs, including a diving slips catch from Gary Ash who flew low and to his right for the catch of the season. In all 8 Grove players had a bowl before the last wicket fell and a 70 run victory was completed.

Ducks for Sticky and Carroll.

The Grove v Luddesdown - September 4 2011

The Grove snatched an unlikely victory against Luddesdown on Sunday with a dramatic 5 run win. After a rain delay a 30 over match got underway with The Grove batting first. The openers found it hard to build momentum but overseas signing Kiky Chaada continued his impressive first season with 26. This was backed up with an excellent 34 from Chris Beard and 30 from Liam Hammond. A two over final flourish from Shane Carroll saw The Grove finish on 127-7.

After a mixed start from The Grove bowlers the hosts were well ahead of the run rate but had lost 3 wickets. Kiln bowled superbly for 2-11. The bowling tightened up and the run rate slowed but all looked set for a home victory at 100-5 with many overs to go. Then Ken Payne and Shane Carroll tightened the noose with some tight at the death bowling which included 2 in an over for Carroll as he mopped up the tail with 3-15 as the victory was secured.

Ducks for Kiln and Jon Steel

 The Grove v Wilmington - September 11 2011

The Grove slumped to a 62 run loss against Wilmington in blustery conditions. Fielding first The Grove openers bowled well for a wicket a piece but further wickets were hard to come by and the hosts put on 187-5 in 35 overs. The Grove had a strong start to their reply with Kiky Chadda (51) & Chris Beard (25) putting on 85 for the 2 wicket and keeping up with the required rate. Sadly The Grove batting fell away after that as they ended their allotted overs on 125-9.

Ducks for Liam Hammond   Mark Fiore and Shane Carroll

 The Grove v Old Pilotonians - September 18 2011

The Grove had an impressive win against Old Pilotonians on Sunday in a game with many extraordinary moments. Batting first The Grove motored along thanks to some aggressive shot play from opener Tony Pope. 15 fours & a six saw Tony carry his bat for an awesome 102 not out. The middle order chipped in with 28 for Shane Carroll, 27 for Kiln & 19 for Chris Beard as The Grove closed on 221-6 in 40 overs.

Superb opening spells from Kiln 1-11 & Kiky Chaada 0-1 from 5 meant the hosts were well behind the run rate early on. After his duck part time bowler Mark Payne fancied a bowl and after getting spanked for 23 off his first over something out of this world happened and Mark picked up a hat-trick in his 2nd over and ended with 4-30 from 3.2 eventful overs as The Grove ran out winners by 100 runs.

A Duck for Mark Payne   and also a hat-trick well done Mark.

 The Grove v Locksbottom - September 25 2011

The Grove finished their season away at Locksbottom on Sunday in a thrilling match that went down to the wire. After winning the toss and deciding to bat The Grove were in some early trouble at 18 - 3 when Jon Steel (66) & Ty Meaney (24) established an innings reviving 86 run partnership. They both played superbly and set the run rate alight. Some lusty big hitting from Kiln (41 not out) in the latter stages saw The Grove through to 197-8.

Kiln picked up with the ball where he left off with the bat and bowled arguably the best spell of the season while destroying the hosts top order, his figures of 4-20 were very much deserved. Locksbotton fell behind the run rate and a draw looked on the cards until Kiky Chaada finally got the luck his fine bowling deserved. He picked up 2 wickets and with 5 balls to bowl only 1 wicket was needed. Two down leg side and a forward defensive left one ball and with the final delivery of the season Kiky bowled his man and The Grove pulled off an improbable 19 run victory.

Two ducks this week, Chris Beard   and a golden one for Sukhveer Singh