Paul Groves

OVERALL STATISTICS

BIRTHAGESIGNED ONFROM
27-05-1966
N/A
14-10-1987
Salford
DEBUTLAST MATCHLEFT
18-10-1987 v Leigh
Huddersfield
1992- Oldham
CAREERAPPEARANCES (SUBS)
1987-1992
158 (13)
TRIESGOALSDGOALSPTS
29
0
1
117

Biography of Paul Groves



HERITAGE NO : 1003
Paul Groves by Dave Dooley:

This will o` the wisp was signed from Salford for a fee of 40000 pounds on October 14th 1987. Four days later he made a winning debut for the Saints against Leigh as part of a 23 points to 14 victory. Alex Murphy recognised the need for a player with pace from the dummy half position and Groves fitted the bill perfectly. Gifted with exceptional pace and elusive skills for a player in his position, Paul soon made a big impact during his first season. Paul scored his first try for the club in the John Player Trophy Third Round against Hull on November the 29th 1987 as Saints prevailed over the men from East Yorkshire. Indeed this competition was to provide Paul with his first taste of success as Saints reached the Final against a talented Leeds outfit at Central Park Wigan in January 1988. He demonstrated all his grit and determination when he helped the Saints defeat Leeds by 15 points to 14 in an absolute cliff-hanger of a contest. Groves enjoyed fantastic form with the Saints and a series of high profile games together with a hat trick against Castleford in the First Round of the Premiership Trophy competition resulted in his selection for the Australasian Tour that summer.

The following season brought about a reality check for all at Knowsley Road as Saints had a miserable season finishing seventh in the league and being whitewashed by the old enemy Wigan at Wembley. Paul suffered along with the rest as Alex Murphy chopped and changed attempting to come up with a wining combination but to no avail. The 1989/90 season saw Paul back to his best as Saints progressed without actually capturing any trophies. A highlight of the campaign was a fabulous hat trick scored by Paul in the 34 points to 24 away victory over Hull on November 21st 1989.

The 1990/91 season promised much for Paul and the Saints as the Saints rattled up the points unfortunately the side was defensively stretched in many games and 11 losses in the league left Cooper`s men in sixth position. After a fabulous 19 points to 2 semi-final win over Widnes in the Challenge Cup semi-final, Saints fell at the final hurdle as Wigan held on to a handy half time lead to prevail by 13 points to 8. In the semi-final Paul dropped his one and only goal for the club. Many felt that Wigan were there for the taking on that day and this made the club even more determined to bring some silverware to Knowsley Road.

This ambition was soon fulfilled in the following campaign as the Saints and Paul had a blinder against Wigan in the Lancashire Cup semi-final. The Saints overcame the old enemy and ten days later his dummy half play and support work helped Saints to a 24 points to 14 win over Rochdale Hornets in the Lancashire Cup Final at Warrington. He scored a brace of tries that season against Trafford Borough as Saints did the ton-up against modest opposition. The side also settled down that season and finished a comfortable second position in the league but still somewhat adrift from Wigan at the top.

At the start of the 1992/3 season Saints were blessed with players who could fill the number 9 shirt. Bernard Dwyer was at the peak of his game and Saints had acquired Gus O` Donnell from Wigan over the summer break. Paul did not figure in the plans of coach Mike McClennan and so he found himself being transferred to Oldham after just four outings in the campaign. Paul Groves was a natural footballer who played some exceptional games for the Saints amid some 158 matches for the club. His representative profile reflects the quality of Paul`s play when he was at the top of his game. Great Britain selection, Lancashire caps and an Australasian Tour place are entries on a C.V. that most rugby league players can only dream of; for Paul Groves they are personal memories to be cherished.



SEASON STATISTICS

Season (Official Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
1987~88 9 0 0 30
1988~89 2 0 0 27
1989~909 0 0 37
1990~912 0 1 30
1991~927 0 0 30
1992~93 0 0 0 4
TOTALS:29 0 1 158
Season (Other Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
1989~900001
1991~920001
1992~930001
TOTALS:0003

ALL MATCHES

DateMatchPosOpponentsCompVenueFTFTOTGDG
18th Oct 1987 1
W
 9 Leigh L H 23 14 VIEW
25th Oct 1987 2
W
 9 Salford L A 18 8 VIEW
8th Nov 1987 3
L
 9 Leeds L A 21 24 VIEW
14th Nov 1987 4
W
 9 Widnes JP1 H 12 10 VIEW
22nd Nov 1987 5
W
 9 Mansfield Marksmen JP2 H 40 0 VIEW
29th Nov 1987 6
W
 9 Hull JP3 H 20 16 1 VIEW
6th Dec 1987 7
L
 9 Hull Kingston Rovers L A 16 25 VIEW
13th Dec 1987 8
W
 9 Warrington L H 17 14 VIEW
19th Dec 1987 9
W
 9 Oldham JPSF N 18 8 VIEW
27th Dec 1987 10
W
 9 Wigan L A 32 22 VIEW
3rd Jan 1988 11
W
 9 Widnes L H 25 0 VIEW
9th Jan 1988 12
W
 9 Leeds JPF N 15 14 VIEW
17th Jan 1988 13
W
 9 Bradford Northern L A 13 12 VIEW
31st Jan 1988 14
W
 9 Leigh CC1 A 22 12 VIEW
7th Feb 1988 15
W
 9 Halifax L H 16 4 VIEW
13th Feb 1988 16
W
 9 Warrington CC2 A 24 20 VIEW
21st Feb 1988 17
W
 9 Leigh L A 50 12 1 VIEW
28th Feb 1988 18
L
 9 Salford CC3 A 18 22 VIEW
1st Mar 1988 19
W
 9 Hunslet L H 70 6 VIEW
6th Mar 1988 20
W
 9 Hunslet L A 14 10 1 VIEW
13th Mar 1988 21
W
 9 Castleford L H 14 6 VIEW
16th Mar 1988 22
W
 9 Salford L H 24 10 VIEW
20th Mar 1988 23
W
 9 Swinton L A 34 18 1 VIEW
1st Apr 1988 24
L
 9 Wigan L H 9 10 VIEW
4th Apr 1988 25
L
 9 Widnes L A 6 16 VIEW
10th Apr 1988 26
L
 9 Leeds L H 23 28 VIEW
17th Apr 1988 27
W
 9 Swinton L H 52 4 1 VIEW
24th Apr 1988 28
W
 9 Castleford PT1 H 40 8 3 VIEW
8th May 1988 29
W
 9 Bradford Northern PTSF H 24 10 1 VIEW
15th May 1988 30
L
 9 Widnes PTF N 14 38 VIEW
18th Sep 1988 31
L
 9 Widnes LC1 A 24 32 VIEW
2nd Oct 1988 32
W
 9 Wakefield Trinity L H 30 14 VIEW
9th Oct 1988 33
W
 9 Hull Kingston Rovers L A 30 22 VIEW
16th Oct 1988 34
L
 9 Hull L H 9 20 VIEW
23rd Oct 1988 35
W
 9 Oldham L A 26 22 VIEW
18th Dec 1988 36
W
 9 Halifax L H 50 16 VIEW
26th Dec 1988 37
L
 9 Wigan L H 11 18 VIEW
1st Jan 1989 38
L
 9 Widnes L A 22 29 1 VIEW
8th Jan 1989 39
W
 9 Leeds L H 15 6 VIEW
15th Jan 1989 40
L
 9 Featherstone Rovers L A 12 13 VIEW
22nd Jan 1989 41
W
 9 Hull Kingston Rovers L H 29 0 VIEW
29th Jan 1989 42
W
 9 Swinton CC1 A 16 5 VIEW
12th Feb 1989 43
W
 9 Barrow CC2 H 28 6 1 VIEW
19th Feb 1989 44
W
 9 Bradford Northern L A 16 12 VIEW
26th Feb 1989 45
W
 9 Featherstone Rovers CC3 H 32 3 VIEW
1st Mar 1989 46
W
 9 Oldham L H 58 12 VIEW
11th Mar 1989 47
W
 9 Widnes CCSF N 16 14 VIEW
14th Mar 1989 48
L
 9 Salford L A 4 22 VIEW
19th Mar 1989 49
L
 9 Featherstone Rovers L H 10 31 VIEW
27th Mar 1989 50
L
 9 Widnes L H 16 44 VIEW
2nd Apr 1989 51
L
 9 Wakefield Trinity L A 14 21 VIEW
9th Apr 1989 52
W
 9 Warrington L H 30 16 VIEW
12th Apr 1989 53
L
 9 Wigan L A 7 14 VIEW
16th Apr 1989 54
L
 9 Halifax L A 8 40 VIEW
23rd Apr 1989 55
W
 9 Wigan PT1 A 4 2 VIEW
29th Apr 1989 56
L
 9 Wigan CCF N 0 27 VIEW
7th May 1989 57
L
 9 Widnes PTSF A 14 38 VIEW
20th Aug 1989 --
W
 9 Widnes* Fr Charity A 24 16 VIEW
3rd Sep 1989 58
W
 9 Sheffield Eagles L A 36 20 VIEW
10th Sep 1989 59
L
 9 Castleford L H 24 26 1 VIEW
17th Sep 1989 60
W
 9 Runcorn Highfield LC1 H 78 10 VIEW
24th Sep 1989 61
L
 9 Bradford Northern L A 18 28 VIEW
27th Sep 1989 62
L
 9 Oldham LC2 H 6 36 VIEW
1st Oct 1989 63
W
 9 New Zealand Tour H 27 26 VIEW
8th Oct 1989 64
W
 9 Wakefield Trinity L A 24 21 VIEW
15th Oct 1989 65
W
 9 Featherstone Rovers L H 50 11 1 VIEW
29th Oct 1989 66
W
 9 Warrington L A 15 3 VIEW
4th Nov 1989 67
W
 9 Salford L H 40 16 1 VIEW
12th Nov 1989 68
W
 9 Barrow L H 62 18 VIEW
21st Nov 1989 69
W
 9 Hull L A 34 24 3 VIEW
26th Nov 1989 70
W
 9 Featherstone Rovers L A 24 23 VIEW
2nd Dec 1989 71
W
 9 Hull Kingston Rovers RT1 H 40 26 VIEW
10th Dec 1989 72
D
 9 Dewsbury RT2 H 12 12 VIEW
13th Dec 1989 73
W
 9 Dewsbury RT2 (rep) A 14 0 VIEW
17th Dec 1989 74
W
 9 Oldham RT3 H 32 18 1 VIEW
23rd Dec 1989 75
L
 9 Halifax RTSF N 9 10 VIEW
26th Dec 1989 76
L
 9 Wigan L A 6 38 VIEW
1st Jan 1990 77
L
 9 Widnes L H 8 18 VIEW
7th Jan 1990 78
L
 9 Leigh L A 18 30 VIEW
14th Jan 1990 79
W
 9 Castleford CCP H 39 12 VIEW
4th Feb 1990 80
W
 9 Leeds L H 32 26 VIEW
10th Feb 1990 81
W
 9 Hull CC2 A 24 12 VIEW
18th Feb 1990 82
W
 9 Barrow L A 46 6 VIEW
25th Feb 1990 83
W
 9 Whitehaven CC3 H 44 10 1 VIEW
28th Feb 1990 84
D
 9 Warrington L AB H 0 0 VIEW
4th Mar 1990 85
L
 9 Castleford L A 24 34 VIEW
10th Mar 1990 86
L
 9 Wigan CCSF N 14 20 VIEW
14th Mar 1990 87
L
 9 Warrington L H 14 23 VIEW
17th Mar 1990 88
W
 9 Wakefield Trinity L H 44 21 1 VIEW
25th Mar 1990 89
W
 9 Leigh L H 12 6 VIEW
1st Apr 1990 90
L
 9 Leeds L A 14 50 VIEW
8th Apr 1990 91
W
 9 Sheffield Eagles L H 42 26 VIEW
13th Apr 1990 92
W
 9 Wigan L H 35 10 VIEW
16th Apr 1990 93
L
 9 Widnes L A 16 34 VIEW
22nd Apr 1990 94
L
 9 Bradford Northern PT1 A 8 25 VIEW
26th Aug 1990 95
W
 9 Trafford Borough LC1 H 56 24 1 VIEW
2nd Sep 1990 96
L
 9 Salford LC2 A 7 21 VIEW
9th Sep 1990 97
L
 9 Hull L A 14 20 VIEW
16th Sep 1990 98
W
 9 Bradford Northern L H 24 20 VIEW
7th Oct 1990 99
L
 9 Australia Tour H 4 34 VIEW
21st Oct 1990 100
L
 9 Castleford L H 16 29 VIEW
4th Nov 1990 101
W
 9 Rochdale Hornets L A 30 18 VIEW
11th Nov 1990 102
W
 9 Sheffield Eagles L H 34 17 VIEW
21st Nov 1990 103
L
 9 Bradford Northern L A 16 18 VIEW
25th Nov 1990 104
W
 9 Rochdale Hornets L H 44 14 VIEW
16th Dec 1990 105
L
 9 Warrington RT3 A 12 18 VIEW
23rd Dec 1990 106
L
 9 Sheffield Eagles L A 8 18 VIEW
26th Dec 1990 107
L
 9 Wigan L H 15 28 VIEW
1st Jan 1991 108
L
 9 Widnes L A 8 14 VIEW
6th Jan 1991 109
W
 9 Wakefield Trinity L H 36 14 VIEW
13th Jan 1991 110
W
 9 Featherstone Rovers L A 36 28 VIEW
20th Jan 1991 111
W
 9 Leeds L H 22 16 VIEW
27th Jan 1991 112
D
 9 Hull Kingston Rovers L A 26 26 VIEW
3rd Feb 1991 113
W
 9 Oldham L A 20 16 VIEW
3rd Mar 1991 114
L
 15 Warrington L A 20 34 VIEW
10th Mar 1991 115
W
 15 Halifax CC3 A 24 16 VIEW
13th Mar 1991 116
W
 9 Oldham L H 33 22 VIEW
17th Mar 1991 117
W
 9 Featherstone Rovers L H 54 38 1 VIEW
24th Mar 1991 118
L
 9 Castleford L A 4 28 VIEW
30th Mar 1991 119
W
 15 Widnes CCSF N 19 2 1 VIEW
1st Apr 1991 120
L
 9 Widnes L H 12 20 VIEW
4th Apr 1991 121
L
 9 Wigan L A 14 28 VIEW
14th Apr 1991 122
W
 9 Warrington L H 62 16 VIEW
21st Apr 1991 123
L
 15 Hull PT1 A 12 28 VIEW
27th Apr 1991 124
L
 15 Wigan CCF N 8 13 VIEW
18th Aug 1991 --
W
 9 Widnes* Fr Charity A 30 26 VIEW
1st Sep 1991 125
W
 9 Hull L A 31 10 1 VIEW
8th Sep 1991 126
W
 9 Warrington L H 27 20 VIEW
15th Sep 1991 127
W
 9 Trafford Borough LC1 H 104 12 2 VIEW
26th Sep 1991 128
W
 9 Oldham LC2 H 39 26 VIEW
10th Oct 1991 129
W
 9 Wigan LCSF H 28 16 VIEW
13th Oct 1991 130
W
 9 Bradford Northern L H 30 12 1 VIEW
20th Oct 1991 131
W
 9 Rochdale Hornets LCF N 24 14 VIEW
23rd Oct 1991 132
W
 9 Salford L H 25 16 1 VIEW
27th Oct 1991 133
D
 9 Leeds L A 8 8 VIEW
1st Dec 1991 134
W
 15 Bradford Northern RT3 H 30 12 VIEW
4th Dec 1991 135
L
 9 Featherstone Rovers L A 6 8 VIEW
8th Dec 1991 136
W
 9 Swinton L H 28 4 1 VIEW
21st Dec 1991 137
L
 15 Widnes RTSF N 10 18 VIEW
26th Dec 1991 138
L
 9 Wigan L A 6 16 VIEW
1st Jan 1992 139
W
 9 Widnes L H 24 22 VIEW
5th Jan 1992 140
W
 9 Salford L A 15 6 VIEW
12th Jan 1992 141
W
 9 Featherstone Rovers L H 28 10 VIEW
19th Jan 1992 142
W
 9 Wakefield Trinity L H 40 12 VIEW
2nd Feb 1992 143
W
 9 Widnes CC1 A 10 2 VIEW
8th Feb 1992 144
W
 9 Leeds CC2 A 32 12 VIEW
16th Feb 1992 145
W
 9 Bradford Northern L A 20 8 VIEW
22nd Feb 1992 146
L
 9 Wigan CC3 H 6 13 VIEW
1st Mar 1992 147
W
 9 Leeds L H 19 8 VIEW
8th Mar 1992 148
D
 9 Castleford L A 8 8 VIEW
22nd Mar 1992 149
W
 9 Halifax L H 30 28 VIEW
29th Mar 1992 150
W
 15 Hull L H 42 12 1 VIEW
4th Apr 1992 151
L
 9 Warrington L A 18 30 VIEW
26th Apr 1992 152
W
 9 Halifax PT1 H 52 6 VIEW
10th May 1992 153
W
 15 Castleford PTSF H 30 14 VIEW
17th May 1992 154
L
 15 Wigan PTF N 16 48 VIEW
16th Aug 1992 --
W
 15 Widnes* Fr Charity H 22 12 VIEW
4th Oct 1992 155
W
 15 Wakefield Trinity L A 18 5 VIEW
7th Oct 1992 156
W
 14 Salford LCSF H 18 5 VIEW
11th Oct 1992 157
W
 15 Hull L H 38 8 VIEW
27th Oct 1992 158
W
 9 Huddersfield RTP H 44 18 VIEW
*Unofficial Match. **Non Playing Sub.
WINS : 102 | LOSSES : 54 | DRAWS : 5

GALLERY





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