Returning Beverley Cricket Club all-rounder Peter Groves expects his side to put in a major challenge for honours this season.
Groves was put through his paces in the first outdoor nets of the season this week by skipper Alan Acklam at the Norwood Recreation Ground, along with fellow paceman Alex Morell.
Omens look good for the season as the first two balls he delivered at a single stump knocked it out of the ground, impressing skipper Acklam, who was sharpening his reflexes behind the stump.
It proved an off-season spent playing for South Brisbane was fruitful, and the fit-and-raring to-go Groves believes the depth and variety in the Beverley Town squad should put them firmly in the race for cup and league glory.
He told HU17.net: “What is exciting about Beverley this year is the sheer talent we have.
“Youngsters such as Alex Morrell and Brad Dobson have really come on in recent years, and combine that with returning players such as James Mitchell and myself and we should be a force to be reckoned with.
“The main aim of the year has to be to win trophies – the highest position Beverley have finished in the premier league is fourth, which if we don’t improve upon this year will be a disgrace.”
Groves, 22, certainly has the pedigree to be a huge success in the York and District Senior League.
He shone for a strong Loughborough University side and has played five first-class matches for Loughborough UCCE, including scoring an unbeaten 37 and taking two wickets against Yorkshire at Headingley. He has also played for the MCC Combined Universities side.
His first class average currently stands at an impressive 69.5 after four innings, while he has taken 11 wickets at an average of 31.72.
He told HU17.net what he thinks he can bring to the Beverley Town side this season.
He continued: “I think Alan will use me up front with the ball to provide pressure and get early wickets.
“With the bat I will be used to set a positive tone at the start of an innings and look to put the bowlers on the back foot.
“More importantly I hope to be used to provide Alan some relief – it’s a tough job to keep wicket and captain, and I hope he can come to me for ideas and thoughts throughout the game.”
Groves spent a season with York in the Yorkshire League last year but is now happy to be back with the club he played for as a youngster
He said: “After a long and successful season last year playing for York, in which we won just about every trophy up for grabs, the time came for a new challenge.
“I have played for Beverley since I was seven-years-old and live adjacent to the ground.
“They were very supportive when I decided to move on to bigger clubs in previous year to develop my cricket.
“Now I am back and pre-season has looked promising with a number of people really putting it in.
“Disappointingly a few haven’t but I’m sure that will hit home come selection for the first game.
“The make up of the side is looking good, we have a number of strong bowling options.
“With an opening pair of Morrell and myself we will be the two fastest bowlers in the league and will put pressure on the opposition from ball one, with proven quality of the likes of Mathew Mudd to come on and keep it tight.
“Equally in the batting department, we have good balance. We have the slower, hold-up-an-end type batsmen in James Mitchell and Anthony Spence, who may get tedious to watch at times but their role is essential.
“Then we have the aggressors in the evergreen John Fisher and Beverley’s own Adam Gilchrist, Alan Acklam.”
By Scott McHugh | Photos by Scott McHugh
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Well pleased with this, Go Beverley Town!!!