THE Groves have found some form following a slow start to the campaign.
They posted their second TACS Partnership Cheshire League Division Three victory in a row on Saturday, with a convincing triumph at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge.
The Groves made 143-8 before bowling their hosts out for just 64.
Captain Mike Caulfield said: “We knew it was going to be tough when I lost the toss and was asked to bat. I said that 140-plus would be a good score on a tricky wicket.
“Like last week, bowling, fielding and attitude were top drawer and John (Suresh) was outstanding. We’ve got an attack now that is a match for anyone in this division.”
After being put in first, The Groves were in trouble at 31-3.
Caulfield (31) helped stop the rot, while some fine batting late in the innings by Jon Ball (32) and Damian Walters (17no) enabled the Ellesmere Port visitors to post a competitive score from their 45-over allocation.
In reply, Damian Walters (1-6) picked up the first wicket in the third over. Then pace bower John Suresh (5-17) tore through the Ladybridge top order, taking his maiden five-wicket haul for the first XI.
Mike Garvey (3-14) was brought into the attack and he helped clear up the tail before Martin Flanagan bagged the final wicket of the match.
The Groves, who host basement side Alderley Park on Saturday, lost at Wirral in the League T20 Knockout last Thursday.
Groves batted first and made 143-5 before Wirral replied with 144-5. The efforts of Nick Brimble (28) and Garvey (2-12) proved to be in vain.
Ellesmere Port were well beaten at Saughall in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance.
On a glorious day, the Port won the toss and had little hesitation in deciding to bat first.
But only skipper Chris Gatrell (53) was able to bat with any proper application as the visitors were dismissed for a below-par 115 in the 37th over. In reply, Adam Griffiths complied a classy 61no as Saughall reached 116-3.
Port host Glazebury on Saturday.
In Division Three, Capenhurst (98-7) claimed a home win over Kerridge (94).
